Effect of Na+ ion concentration on tRNA conformation in solution studied by laser Raman spectroscopy

Abstract
Raman spectra of baker's yeast tRNA in NaCl aqueous solutions were measured as a function of sodium ion concentration throughout the 0–1.0 M range. Strong variations in intensity of the various bands allowed observation of the ionic strength‐dependent conformational transitions of the tRNA. The experimental data obtained point to the existence of five distinct conformations of the tRNA molecules in the range of Na+ concentration investigated.