[Hydration of a preparation of total yeast tRNA]

The interaction of water molecules from the vapour phase with the total backer's yeast tRNA preparation was studied by the dynamic aquametric method. The primary hydration sites for processes of sorption and desorption of water molecules was evaluated by means of multilayer adsorption BET-equation. It was shown that the primary hydration sites are the oxygen atoms in the ribose-phosphate backbone of the tRNA molecule. The structure of surfaces of globular proteins and tRNA molecules were compared from the point of view of their ability to interact with water molecules. The higher degree of maximal hydration (under saturated water vapour or in aqueous solution) was considered as a result of regular arrangement of the most part of tRNA primary hydration sites.