Effects of Several Metal Ions, Especially Zinc Ions, on RNA Degradation by Halophilic Nuclease H in Solution or Adsorbed on Flocculated Cells of Halophilic Micrococcus

Abstract

In relation to 5'-mononucleotide production through RNA degradation with a crude enzyme preparation, containing 5'-nucleotidase as well as nuclease H, from a moderate halophile, Micrococcm varians subsp. halophilus, the selective inhibitory effects on S'-nucleotidase of various metal ions, especially Zn²⁺, and that of EDTA were examined. The results indicate that the yield of 5'-mononucleotides on RNA degradation in a column bioreactor containing flocculated cells with the crude enzymes adsorbed on them was greatly improved in the presence of ZnSO₄.