Open AccessInteraction of small ribosomal and transfer RNAs with a protein fromLeishmania donovani
Author(s) -
Anil K. Ghosh,
Trina Ghosh,
Swarupa Ghosh,
Saumitra Das,
Samit Adhya
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
nucleic acids research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 9.008
H-Index - 537
eISSN - 1362-4954
pISSN - 0305-1048
DOI - 10.1093/nar/22.9.1663
Subject(s) - biology , rna , microbiology and biotechnology , ribosomal rna , transfer rna , rna binding protein , leishmania , antisense rna , gene , biochemistry , parasite hosting , world wide web , computer science
Using synthetic antisense RNA from the 5'-untranslated region of the beta-tubulin gene as probe in gel retardation assays, a heat stable RNA-binding factor was identified in promastigotes of the kinetoplastid protozoan Leishmania donovani. The same or similar factors interact with several small ribosomal RNA (srRNA) species and, more weakly, with tRNA, as shown by binding and competition experiments. Deletion analysis indicated involvement of repeated purine-rich motifs on the antisense RNA, in the reaction. Related, conserved motifs occur on at least two of the srRNAs. By a modified Western blot assay, the RNA-binding species was identified as a single, small polypeptide. The activity is apparently specific for the promastigote stage of the parasite, being undetectable in amastigotes. The properties of this RNA-binding factor suggest that it is a novel, previously uncharacterized protein.