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. 1983 May 11;11(9):2665–2679. doi: 10.1093/nar/11.9.2665

Quantitation of cation binding to wheat germ ribosomes: influences on subunit association equilibria and ribosome activity.

J M Sperrazza, L L Spremulli
PMCID: PMC325916  PMID: 6856472

Abstract

The binding of Mg2+, spermine, and spermidine to wheat germ ribosomes was quantitated following equilibrium dialysis. The Mg2+ binding data demonstrate that Mg2+ and K+ compete for binding to the ribosomes. Mg2+ binding saturates at approximately 0.56 positive charges per phosphate (+/P). The Mg2+, spermine and spermidine binding data indicate that either polyamine replaces Mg2+ upon binding to the ribosomes. Mg2+ and polyamine binding combined saturates at approximately 0.29 +/P under the conditions reported. When a critical number of Mg2+ ions are replaced by either polyamine, the activity of the ribosomes falls dramatically. Ribosomal subunit association increases with the degree of phosphate charge neutralization due to the binding of Mg2+. Total charge neutralization during subunit association by Mg2+ and polyamine binding combined, is much less than that achieved by Mg2+ alone.

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Selected References

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