PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS BETWEEN TRYPTOPHAN AND POLYNUCLEOTIDES*

Abstract— Anaerobic solutions of ¹⁴C labelled tryptophan and single-stranded synthetic polyribonucleotide form adducts when irradiated with UV light at wavelengths longer than 270 nm. These adducts are stable to cold 10% trichloroacetic acid and are also more resistant to hydrolysis catalyzed by bovine ribonuclease A than non-irradiated controls. All polyribonucleotides reacted with trp to some extent with reactivities in the order poly rU > poly rC = poly rA > poly rG.