The presence of deoxyribonucleolytic activity in cytoplasmic ribosomes of rye (Secale cereale L) germs.

Deoxyribonucleolytic activity was found to be associated with cytoplasmic ribosomes and ribosomal subunits of rye germs. The activity has the pH optimum at 5.0. Treatment of ribosomes and 60S subunits with 0.5 M-ammonium chloride released a considerable part of deoxyribonucleolytic and ribonucleolytic activity; treatment of 40S subunits resulted in a complete release of deoxyribonucleolytic activity and partial release of ribonucleolytic activity. This suggests the presence in ribosomes of rye germs of two types of nucleolytic enzymes: an enzyme of the nuclease I type with deoxyribonuclease and ribonuclease activities, and typical ribonucleases hydrolysing RNA only.