Open AccessSynthesis of functional eukaryotic ribosomal RNAs in trans: Development of a novel in vivo rDNA system for dissecting ribosome biogenesis
Author(s) -
Wenqing Liang,
Maurille J. Fournier
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.94.7.2864
Subject(s) - ribosomal rna , biology , operon , 5.8s ribosomal rna , ribosome , ribosome biogenesis , rna polymerase i , 5s ribosomal rna , 18s ribosomal rna , rna , genetics , rna polymerase iii , microbiology and biotechnology , rna polymerase , gene , escherichia coli
Active 18S and 25S ribosomal RNAs were produced in trans in yeast, from plasmids containing RNA polymerase II transcription signals and rDNA fragments with unique hybridization tags. Analyses were carried out in cells with temperature-sensitive RNA polymerase I. Functional rRNAs were derived from separate 18S and 5.8/25S rRNA coding units, however, active 25S rRNA could be produced only by cotranscription with 5.8S rRNA. The results demonstrate that the polycistronic organization of the large rDNA operon is not required for successful processing of rRNA or assembly of functional ribosomes. The split operon system should facilitate future efforts to dissect eukaryotic ribosome biogenesis.