Properties of a ribonuclease from Aedes aegypti larvae

1.1. The properties of a soluble ribonuclease from Aedes aegypti larvae have been compared with ribonuclease activity in adult female tissue.2.2. In larval extracts ribonuclease activity was maximal at 40–45°C whereas activity in tissue from adult females was highest at 50°C.3.3. Ribonuclease activity that was recovered in a 20–60% ammonium sulfate precipitate was further purified by batch elution from DEAE-Sephacel and from carboxymethylcellulose.4.4. Ribonuclease activity in the partially purified fraction was sensitive to EDTA, stimulated by magnesium, had a pH optimum at 9.0 and a Mr of 45,000.5.5. Agarose gels containing yeast RNA substrate were used to monitor partial purification of the larval ribonuclease.