Demonstration of ribosome-dependent photoinduced chain breakage of the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid component of the Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunit

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Abstract
The effects of 253.7-nm radiation on the structural integrities of free and ribosome-bound 16S rRNA were elucidated. Exposure of aqueous solutions of E. coli 30S ribosomal subunits to 253.7-nm radiation results in RNA-chain scission and the formation of single-stranded breaks in double-stranded regions of the ribosome-bound 16S rRNA. The minimum doses of incident 253.7-nm radiation required for the 1st detection of the 2 types of RNA chain breaks are 2 .times. 1020 quanta for single-strand breaks in double-stranded regions of the ribosome-bound 16S rRNA, and at least 5 .times. 1020 quanta for RNA-chain scission. In contrast to the photosensitivity of ribosome-bound 16S rRNA toward chain breakage, free 16S rRNA may be resistant toward photoinduced chain breakage at doses of incident 253.7-nm radiation up to at least 1021 quanta.

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