RIBONUCLEASE ACTIVITY IN RUSTED WHEAT LEAVES

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Abstract
Extracts from primary leaves of Lee wheat were prepared at various days following inoculation with races of leaf rust and tested for ribonuclease (RNase) activity. As early as 24 hours after inoculation there was a marked increase in the specific activity of the enzyme in extracts of rusted host tissues. A further increase in activity was observed during later stages of infection, with the susceptible and resistant reacting tissue differing only in the degree of their response. Extracts from noninoculated control leaves exhibited a constant RNase activity throughout the period of observation. The germination medium and extracts from germinating uredospores contained comparatively little RNase activity. No direct evidence was obtained either for the possible release of the enzyme from particulate cellular fractions of the host tissue as a result of infection or for the removal of an RNase inhibitor in the host tissue responding to infection.