RIBOSOMAL RNA ON THE SURFACE OF RIBOSOMES

Ribonuclease from pancreas releases nucleotide from Escherichiacoli ribosomes while not altering significantly the base composition of the total ribosomal RNA. Ribonuclease hydrolyzes ribsomal RNA without destroying the structure of 70S or 30S and 50S ribosomes. The RNA in 30S and 50S ribosomes appears more sensitive to the action of ribonuclease. The data suggest that RNA may be a surface component of the ribosome.