Mescaline-induced changes of brain-cortex ribosomes. Effect of mescaline on the stability of brain-cortex ribosomes

Mescaline sulfate causes ribosomes in goat brain-cortex slices to break down, releasing protein, RNA, acid-soluble nucleotides, and ninhydrin-positive materials, and leads to a loss of ribosomal enzyme activities. Ribosomes from treated slices also degrade more rapidly when exposed to trypsin and ribonuclease. However, mescaline does not change the chemical or nucleotide composition or the ultraviolet-absorption characteristics of the ribosomal particles.

Study at a glance

Abstract

1. During the action of mescaline sulphate on goat brain-cortex slices the ribosomal particles become susceptible to breakdown, releasing protein, RNA, acidsoluble nucleotides and ninhydrin-positive materials, resulting in loss of ribosomal enzyme activities. 2. Ribosomes of the mescaline-treated cortex slices undergo rapid degradation in the presence of trypsin and ribonuclease. 3. Mescaline does not alter the chemical and nucleotide compositions or the u.v.-absorption characteristics of ribosomal particles, however.