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A procedure for quantitative estimation of cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine), a specific inhibitor of post-transcriptional polyadenylation of pre-mRNA and of a metabolite of cordycepin 3'-deoxyATP in rat brain tissue is described. The procedure is based on evaluation of an inhibitory effect on the synthesis of polyA in vitro of total nucleoside and nucleoside and nucleoside triphosphate preparations isolated from the animal brain after cordycepin administration. Homogenates of intact animal brain were used as a source of "crude" polyA polymerase preparations.

The absorption spectra of thin films of nucleic acids, nucleosides, nucleotides, D-ribose, Na3PO4 in vacuum ultraviolet region are measured. In the spectral region 280--160 nm the absorption spectra consist of the bands of nucleic acid bases. In the range shorter than 160 nm the absorption is determined by phosphate and D-ribose groups. The methods of thin films preparation are discussed.