Ribonuclease A (RNase A) is an endoribonuclease, that specifically cleaves single-stranded RNA 3' to pyrimidine residues (cytosine, uracil). Thereby, it generates pyrimidine-3'-phosphate or oligonucleotides with terminal pyrimidine-3'-phosphates. The pH-optimum is in the range of 7.0 - 7.5. RNase A is used for the purification of RNA-free DNA, for the removal of non-hybridized regions of RNA : DNA-hybrides or as a molecular weight marker.
The enzyme is inhibited by diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC), guanidinium salts (4 M GuaSCN), β-mercaptoethanol, heavy metals, vanadyl-ribonucleoside-complexes, RNase-inhibitor from human placenta and competitively by DNA, respectively. Regarding the latter, the effect of denatured DNA is higher than by native nucleic acids.
Origin: From bovine pancreas
Delivery form: salt-free, freeze dried
Activity: min. 80 U/mg (Kunitz)
The recommended working concentration is 10 μg/ml (removal of RNA from plasmid preparations; 1 hr, RT) or 100 ng/ml (preparation of "blunt ends" of double-stranded cDNA).