Heterologous mischarging as a means of tRNA fractionation. I. Behaviour of E.coli phenylalanyl-tRNA₁^Val on BD-cellulose

The chromatographic behaviour of E.coli tRNA1Val, Val-tRNA1Val and Phe-tRNA1Val was studied on BD-cellulose columns. At pH 4.0 and 4°C the elution position of Phe-tRNA1Val was not affected by the presence or absence of Mg²⁺, whereas Val-tRNA1Val was slightly retarded when Mg²⁺ was ommited. It is postulated that the amino acid and its nature influence the structure that the aminoacyl-tRNA assumes. Under suitable conditions the heteroaminoacylated Phe-tRNA1Val eluted significantly later than other tRNAs. This fact showed that heterologous mischarging can be a useful step in tRNA purification methods.