HYDROLYSIS OF CALF THYMUS DEOXYRIBONUCLEATE BY PANCREATIC DEOXYRIBONUCLEASE: I. A STUDY OF THE OLIGONUCLEOTIDES LIBERATED IN THE PRESENCE OF MAGNESIUM OR MANGANESE IONS

Abstract

The oligonucleotides obtained from deoxyribonucleic acid by the action of pancreatic deoxyribonuclease in the presence of magnesium ions or manganous ions have been analyzed by ion exchange chromatography and by determination of the relative amounts of purine and pyrimidine deoxynucleotides occupying the 5′-terminal position. Evidence of a difference in the specificity of action of the enzyme that is dependent upon the nature of the metal ion activator employed has been adduced.