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Escherichia coli 16S rRNA 3′‐end formation requires a distal transfer RNA sequence at a proper distance.
Author(s) -
Srivastava A.K.,
Schlessinger D.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1989.tb08470.x
Subject(s) - biology , ribosomal rna , 16s ribosomal rna , escherichia coli , sequence (biology) , plasmid , genetics , gene
The 16S rRNA species in bacterial precursor rRNAs is followed by two evolutionarily conserved features: (i) a double‐stranded stem formed by complementary sequences adjacent to the 5′ and 3′ ends of the 16S rRNA; and (ii) a 3′‐transfer RNA sequence. To assess the possible role of these features, plasmid constructs with precursor‐specific features deleted were tested for their capacity to form mature rRNA. Stem‐forming sequences were dispensable for both 5′ and 3′ terminus formation; whereas an intact spacer tRNA positioned greater than 24 nucleotides downstream of the 16S RNA sequence was required for correct 3′‐end maturation. These results suggest that spacer tRNA at an appropriate location helps form a conformation obligate for pre‐rRNA processing, perhaps by binding to a nascent binding site in preribosomes. Thus, spacer tRNAs may be an obligate participant in ribosome formation.