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RNase P is a multi-subunit enzyme responsible for the accurate processing of the 5′ terminus of all tRNAs. The RNA subunit from Clostridium sporogenes has been partially purified and characterized. The RNA is approximately 400 nucleotides long and makes a precise endonucleolytic cleavage at the mature 5′ terminus of tRNA. The RNA requires moderate concentrations of Mg2+ (20 mM) and relatively high concentrations of NH4CI (800mM) for optimal activity. Mn2+ effectively substitutes for Mg2+ at 2mM. Zn2+, Ni2+, Ca2+, and Co2+ are ineffective at stimulating activity. Monovalent ions are, in general, more effective the greater the ionic radius (NH4+>Cs >Rb>K>Na). In contrast to the activity of Bacillus subtilis, C. sporogenes RNase P RNA is significant more active in (NH4)2SO4 than in NH4Cl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]