THE ACTION OF PANCREATIC DEOXYRIBONUCLEASE ON OLIGONUCLEOTIDES FROM CALF THYMUS DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID

Abstract
Hydrolysis of sodium oligonucleotide by crystalline pancreatic deoxyribonuclease (DNA-ase) has been studied in the presence of different metal ions and the chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA). Although EDTA inhibited the action of DNA-ase when magnesium or cobaltous ions were used as activator, the enzyme activity was enhanced in the presence of manganous ions and EDTA. The results are interpreted as indicating the presence of an oligonucleotidase function in the enzyme preparation. A differential assay method for DNA-ase and oligonucleotidase activity has been devised and the evidence obtained gives additional support for this conclusion.