A simple spectrophotometric method for the measurement of ribonuclease activity in biological fluids

We have developed a rapid and sensitive method for detecting ribonuclease (RNAase). The method makes use of a RNA-Pyronine Y complex which has a different absorption spectrum from that of Pyronine Y alone. When the RNA is hydrolyzed by RNAase, the spectrum of the complex changes to that of unbound Pyronine Y. The resultant decrease in absorbance at 572 nm is linear for final RNAase concentrations ranging from 2 to 45 ng/ml. Optimal assay conditions were 11.5 micrograms/ml Pyronine Y, 0.56 mg/ml RNA, 80 mumol/ml Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.8, and 2-45 ng/ml RNAase. The effect of complex concentration, pH, molarity and temperature upon the rate of the reaction were determined. The assay is applicable to crude cell-free extracts.