31P-NMR studies of tRNA

Unlike other spectroscopic methods, 31P-NMR provides direct information on the state of the phosphate residues of nucleic acids. Cueron [l] measured the 31P-NMR spectra of two individual tRNAs by routine techniques; the time of accumulation was 4 to 8 hr. The pulse excitation method combined with Fourier transformation makes it possible to obtain rapidly NMR spectra of tRNA characterized by good signal-to-noise ratio. Thus, the techniques enable one to study the processes of tRNA transformation in the course of chemical or enzymatic reactions, as well as to study the effects of higher structure in solutions of low concentrations. The present communication is concerned with the possibilities of the pulse-excitation 31PNMR spectroscopy as a means of investigation of tRNA higher structure, chemical modification and enzymatic hydrolysis.