Modifications of Ribonucleic Acid by Chemical Carcinogens. I. in Vitro Modification of Transfer Ribonucleic Acid by N-Acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene

Escherichii coli transfer ribonucleic acid was reacted in vitro with the carcinogen N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene. Evidence is presented that covalent attachment of the acetylaminofluorene residues to transfer ribonucleic acids produces specific modifications in their amino acid acceptance capacities, codon recognition and ribosomal binding, and chromatographic behavior on DEAE-Sephadex and benzoylated DEAE-cellulose columns. An hypothesis is presented that attributes the functional modifications in nucleic acids produced by this carcinogen to a change in nucleoside conformation from anti to syn.