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SynopsisThe interaction of tRNA with Eu(II1) has been studied by optical and gel electrophoretic techniques. A t low levels (less than six metals per tRNA), Eu(II1) stabilizes yeast tRNAPhe against thermal denaturation; however, a t higher levels (about eight to ten EuhRNA) the tRNA is destabilized by Eu(II1). This may have important implications regarding recent attempts to grow crystals of tRNA from solutions containing europium. Comparative studies of the effects of Mg(I1) and Eu(II1) on tRNA structure confirm that the first four Eu(II1) ions are more strongly bound than Mg(I1). At slightly elevated temperatures (50°C, pH 7) the binding of Eu(II1) catalyzes the hydrolysis of the tRNA backbone. From an analysis of the fragments produced by the hydrolysis and of the variation in the rate of cleavage as a function of the metal per tRNA ratio, we conclude that (i) the addition of Eu(II1) to the tRNA is sequential, (ii) the first Eu(II1) is bound in close proximity to the two dihydrouridine residues, and (iii) the rate of hydrolysis depends on the number of Eu(II1) strongly bound to the tRNA, rather than on the concentration of Eu(II1) free in solution. Metals bound at sites 2-4 are relatively much less active in promoting the cleavage but the metal bound a t site 5 is again active. The initial cleavage products are shown to be identical with those obtained using magnesium, zinc, or lead.

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