The studies described in this dissertation examine the effects of F-2,6-P2 and AMP or phosphorylation on the kinetic mechanism of d-PFK. The effect of varied pH on the activation by F-2,6-P2 is also described.

Methodology was developed which allowed the rapid and routine quantitation of subpicomole quantities of diadenosine-5ʹ,5ʹʹʹ-P¹,P⁴-tetraphosphate (Ap₄A) in cultured mammalian cells. This methodology includes the rapid extraction of cellular nucleotides in cold alkali, resolution of Ap₄A from the bulk of cellular materials on a highly specific boronate affinity resin, and quantitation of the dinucleotide in a coupled bioluminescence assay utilizing venom phosphodiesterase and firefly luciferase. The sensitivity and selectivity of this assay is demonstrated and contrasted with previously developed techniques. This assay was used to examine the role of Ap₄A in DNA replication and the cellular stress response.

An 18.5-kb human DNA segment was selected from a human XCharon-4A library by hybridization to mammalian valine tRNAiAc and found to encompass a cluster of three tRNA genes. Two valine tRNA genes with anticodons of AAC and CAC, encoding the major and minor cytoplasmic valine tRNA isoacceptors, respectively, and a lysine tRNAcuu gene were identified by Southern blot hybridization and DNA sequence analysis of a 7.1-kb region of the human DNA insert. At least nine Alu family members were found interspersed throughout the human DNA fragment. The tRNA genes are accurately transcribed by RNA polymerase III in a HeLa cell extract, since the RNase Ti fingerprints of the mature-sized tRNA transcription products are consistent with the DNA sequences of the structural genes. Three members of the chimpanzee triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) gene family, the functional transcription unit and two processed pseudogenes, were characterized by genomic blotting and DNA sequence analysis. The bona fide TPI gene spans 3.5 kb with seven exons and six introns, and is the first complete hominoid TPI gene sequenced. The gene exhibits a very high identity with the human and rhesus TPI genes. In particular, the polypeptides of 248 amino acids encoded by the chimpanzee and human …