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A unique type of eubacterial 5S rRNA in members of the order Planctomycetales.

Analysis of the 5S ribosomal RNA from members of the eubacterial order Planctomycetales, i.e., Planctomyces, Pirella, Gemmata, and Isosphaera, reveals several unexpected features. Firstly, the primary structures are significantly shorter than those of the majority of eubacteria and vary in length between 109 and 111 nucleotides. Secondly, the lack of an insertion at position 66 is a feature not encountered before in prokaryotic 5S rRNAs. Thirdly, as compared to the proposed eubacterial "minimal" 5S rRNA structure (Erdmann and Wolters 1986) the secondary structure contains numerous base-pair transversions. The isolated position of the planctomycetes as an individual eubacterial division and the phylogenetic position of its genera are in accord with the results obtained from 16S rRNA cataloguing.

Base Sequence↗

A structural model for the assembly of the 30S subunit of the ribosome.

The order in which proteins bind to 16S rRNA, the assembly map, was determined by Nomura and co-workers in the early 1970s. The assembly map shows the dependencies of binding of successive proteins but fails to address the relationship of these dependencies to the three-dimensional folding of the ribosome. Here, using molecular mechanics techniques, we rationalize the order of protein binding in terms of ribosomal folding. We determined the specific contacts between the ribosomal proteins and 16S rRNA from a crystal structure of the 30S subunit (1FJG). We then used these contacts as restraints in a rigid body Monte-Carlo simulation with reduced-representation models of the RNA and proteins. Proteins were added sequentially to the RNA in the order that they appear in the assembly map. Our results show that proteins nucleate the folding of the head, platform, and body domains, but they do not strongly restrict the orientations of the domains relative to one another. We also examined the contributions of individual proteins to the formation of binding sites for sequential proteins in the assembly process. Binding sites for the primary binding proteins are generally more ordered in the naked RNA than those for other proteins. Furthermore, we examined one pathway in the assembly map and found that the addition of early binding proteins helps to organize the RNA around the binding sites of proteins that bind later. It appears that the order of assembly depends on the degree of pre-organization of each protein's binding site at a given stage of assembly, and the impact that the binding of each protein has on the organization of the remaining unoccupied binding sites.

Binding Sites↗

Structural organization of ribosomal RNAs from Novikoff hepatoma. II. Characterization of possible binding sites of 5 S rRNA and 5.8 S rRNA to 28 S rRNA.

Interrelationships among 5 S, 5.8 S, and 28 S rRNA were probed by methods employed in the accompanying report (Choi, Y. C. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 12769-12772). Two complexes were isolated from 20 S ribonucleoprotein (RNP) fraction and 60 S subunit. The 20 S RNP fraction was found to contain the 3'-340 nucleotide fragment (domain VII) in association with 5 S rRNA. The 60 S subunit contained a stable complex consisting of the 5'-upstream portion (4220-4462, domain VI and VII), the 3'-downstream portion (4463-4802, domain VII) of 3'-583 nucleotides fragment, and 5.8 S rRNA. By computer analysis and hybridization, the 5'-upstream portion was found to contain the 5.8 S rRNA contact site. By affinity chromatography, the 3'-downstream portion was found to contain the 5 S rRNA association site. Furthermore, by comparison with the secondary structure of 28 S rRNA proposed by Hadjiolov et al. (Hadjiolov, A. A., Georgiev, O. I., Nosikov, V. V., and Yavachev, L. P. (1984) Nucleic Acids Res. 12, 3677-3693), it was found that domain VII is capable of binding 5.8 S rRNA and 5 S rRNA juxtaposed to each other. Accordingly, a model was proposed to indicate that a possible contact site for 5.8 S rRNA is within the region surrounding the alpha-sarcin site (4333-4350) and is a possible association site of 5 S rRNA within the 3'-downstream portion (4463-4802) of the 3'-583 nucleotide fragment (4220-4802).

Animals↗

Base complementarity in helix 2 of the central pseudoknot in 16S rRNA is essential for ribosome functioning.

Helix 2 of the central pseudoknot structure in Escherichia coli 16S rRNA is formed by a long-distance interaction between nt 17-19 and 918-916, resulting in three base pairs: U17-A918, C18-G917and A19-U916. Previous work has shown that disruption of the central base pair abolishes ribosomal activity. We have mutated the first and last base pairs and tested the mutants for their translational activity in vivo , using a specialized ribosome system. Mutations that disrupt Watson-Crick base pairing result in strongly impaired translational activity. An exception is the mutation U916-->G, creating an A.G pair, which shows almost no decrease in activity. Mutations that maintain base complementarity have little or no impact on translational efficiency. Some of the introduced base pair substitutions substantially alter the stability of helix 2, but this does not influence ribosome functioning, neither at 42 nor at 28 degrees C. Therefore, our results do not support models in which the pseudoknot is periodically disrupted. Rather, the central pseudoknot structure is suggested to function as a permanent structural element necessary for proper organization in the center of the 30S subunit.

Base Composition↗

Structure of the L1 protuberance in the ribosome.

The L1 protuberance of the 50S ribosomal subunit is implicated in the release/disposal of deacylated tRNA from the E site. The apparent mobility of this ribosomal region has thus far prevented an accurate determination of its three-dimensional structure within either the 50S subunit or the 70S ribosome. Here we report the crystal structure at 2.65 A resolution of ribosomal protein L1 from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius in complex with a specific 55-nucleotide fragment of 23S rRNA from Thermus thermophilus. This structure fills a major gap in current models of the 50S ribosomal subunit. The conformations of L1 and of the rRNA fragment differ dramatically from those within the crystallographic model of the T. thermophilus 70S ribosome. Incorporation of the L1-rRNA complex into the structural models of the T. thermophilus 70S ribosome and the Deinococcus radiodurans 50S subunit gives a reliable representation of most of the L1 protuberance within the ribosome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The arrangement of 18-S and 28-S ribosomal ribonucleic acids within the 40-S precursor molecule of Xenopus laevis.

The arrangement of 18-S rRNA and 28-S rRNA within their 40-S common precursor molecule (pre-rRNA) of Xenopus laevis was investigated by electron microscopic analysis of secondary structure of nascent pre-rRNA chains of oocytes, and by 5'-end analysis of 18-S rRNA and 28-S rRNA hybridized to the EcoRI fragment of rDNA cloned as plasmid pCD42. Secondary structure mapping of phenol-extracted RNA from nucleolar cores revealed complete pre-rRNA chains or molecules at various stages of processing and pre-rRNA molecules apparently lacking one end. In this latter group, which was regarded as representing nascent chains, more than 90% of the molecules had no 28-S rRNA REGION. This shows that the 28-S rRNA sequence is transcribed after the 18-S rRNA region and hence must be located nearer to the 3' end of the pre-rRNA molecule. For 5' end-group determination [3H]uridine-labelled 18-S rRNA and 28-S rRNA were hybridized, as fragments of about 200 nucleotides, to the plasmid pCD42 containing coding sequences for four-fifths of the 18-S rRNA sequence, the external transcribed spacer, the non-transcribed spacer and a tenth of the 28-S rRNA sequence. The RNA was recovered from the hybrids and analyzed for uridine 3',5'-bisphosphate (pUp) after alkaline hydrolysis. The pUp content of the hybridized 18-S rRNA fragments was 20-fold higher than in those of 28-S rRNA, THUS DEMONSTRATING THAT THE 5' END OF THE 18-S rRNA is located next to the external spacer region. From these results it is concluded that the 18-S rRNA is located close to the 5' end of the 40-S pre-rRNA molecule.

Animals↗

Mutations of mitochondrial 12S rRNA in gastric carcinoma and their significance.

AIM: To detect the variations of mitochondrial 12S rRNA in patients with gastric carcinoma, and to study their significance and the relationship between these variations and the genesis of gastric carcinoma. METHODS: PCR amplified mitochondrial 12S rRNA of 44 samples including 22 from gastric carcinoma tissues and 22 from adjacent normal tissues, was detected by direct DNA sequencing. Then laser capture microdissection technique (LCM) was used to separate the cancerous cells and dysplasia cells with specific mutations. Denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) plus allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR), nest-PCR and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) were used to further evaluate this mutant property and quantitative difference of mutant type between cancerous and dysplasia cells. Finally, RNAdraw biosoft was used to analyze the RNA secondary structure of mutant-type 12S rRNA. RESULTS: Compared with Mitomap database, some new variations were found, among which np652 G insertion and np716 T-G transversion were found only in cancerous tissues. There was a statistic difference in the frequency of 12S rRNA variation between intestinal type (12/17, 70.59%) and diffusive type (5/17, 29.41%) of gastric carcinoma (P<0.05). DHPLC analysis showed that 12S rRNA np652 G insertion and np716 T-G transversion were heteroplasmic mutations. The frequency of 12S rRNA variation in cancerous cells was higher than that in dysplasia cells (P<0.01). 12S rRNA np652 G insertion showed obviously negative effects on the stability of 12S rRNA secondary structure, while others such as T-G transversion did not. CONCLUSION: The mutations of mitochondrial 12S rRNA may be associated with the occurrence of intestinal-type gastric carcinoma. Most variations exist both in gastric carcinomas and in normal tissues, and they might not be the characteristics of tumors. However, np652 G insertion and np716 T-G transversion may possess some molecular significance in gastric carcinogenesis. During the process from normality to dysplasia, then to carcinoma, 12S rRNA tends to convert from homoplasmy (wild type) to heteroplasmy, then to homoplasmy (mutant type, np717 T-G).

Base Sequence↗

Sites of contact of mRNA with 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA in the Escherichia coli ribosome.

The locations of close encounter between ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) were determined by photochemical cross-linking experiments that employ an artificial mRNA, 51 nucleotides long, containing 14 U residues that were randomly substituted by 1-4 4-thiouridine (s4U) residues. The mRNA was bound to 70S ribosomes or 30S subunits and then was irradiated at 366 nm to activate cross-linking between the s4U residues and rRNA. Cross-linking occurred to both 16S rRNA and 23S RNA. The rRNA was then analyzed by a series of reverse transcriptase experiments to determine the locations of cross-linking. Twelve sites in the 16S rRNA and two sites in the 23S rRNA have been detected. In the 16S rRNA, two of the sites (U1381, C1395) are in the middle part of the secondary structure close to position C1400, and the remaining sites (G413, U421, G424; A532; G693; U723; A845; G1131/C1132; G1300; G1338) are distributed between six regions that are peripheral in the secondary structure. In the 23S rRNA, one site (U1065) is located in the GTPase center close to A1067, the site of thiostrepton-resistance methylation in domain II, and the other site (U887) is located a short distance away also in domain II. The distribution of these rRNA sites in the ribosome specifies an mRNA track that is consistent with other information. In addition, some of the contact points represent new constraints for the three-dimensional folding of the rRNA.

Base Sequence↗

Molecular phylogenetic analysis places Percolomonas cosmopolitus within Heterolobosea: evolutionary implications.

Percolomonas cosmopolitus is a common free-living flagellate of uncertain phylogenetic position that was placed within the Heterolobosea on the basis of ultrastructure studies. To test the relationship between Percolomonas and Heterolobosea, we analysed the primary structure of the actin and small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) genes of P. cosmopolitus as well as the predicted secondary structure of the SSU rRNA. Percolomonas shares common secondary structure patterns of the SSU rRNA with heterolobosean taxa, which, together with the results of actin gene analysis, confirms that it is closely related to Heterolobosea. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on the sequences of the SSU rRNA gene suggest Percolomonas belongs to the family Vahlkampfiidae. The first Bayesian analysis of a large taxon sampling of heterolobosean SSU rRNA genes clarifies the phylogenetic relationships within this group.

Animals↗

Variation in 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions in Photobacterium damselae: a mosaic-like structure.

Phenotypically, Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida and P. damselae subsp. damselae are easily distinguished. However, their 16S rRNA gene sequences are identical, and attempts to discriminate these two subspecies by molecular tools are hampered by their high level of DNA-DNA similarity. The 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS) were sequenced in two strains of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida and two strains of P. damselae subsp. damselae to determine the level of molecular diversity in this DNA region. A total of 17 different ITS variants, ranging from 803 to 296 bp were found, some of which were subspecies or strain specific. The largest ITS contained four tRNA genes (tDNAs) coding for tRNA(Glu(UUC)), tRNA(Lys(UUU)), tRNA(Val(UAC)), and tRNA(Ala(GGC)). Five amplicons contained tRNA(Glu(UUC)) combined with two additional tRNA genes, including tRNA(Lys(UUU)), tRNA(Val(UAC)), or tRNA(Ala(UGC)). Five amplicons contained tRNA(Ile(GAU)) and tRNA(Ala(UGC)). Two amplicons contained tRNA(Glu(UUC)) and tRNA(Ala(UGC)). Two different isoacceptor tRNA(Ala) genes (GGC and UGC anticodons) were found. The five smallest amplicons contained no tRNA genes. The tRNA-gene combinations tRNA(Glu(UUC))-tRNA(Val(UAC))-tRNA(Ala(UGC)) and tRNA(Glu(UUC))-tRNA(Ala(UGC)) have not been previously reported in bacterial ITS regions. The number of copies of the ribosomal operon (rrn) in the P. damselae chromosome ranged from at least 9 to 12. For ITS variants coexisting in two strains of different subspecies or in strains of the same subspecies, nucleotide substitution percentages ranged from 0 to 2%. The main source of variation between ITS variants was due to different combinations of DNA sequence blocks, constituting a mosaic-like structure.

Base Sequence↗

Another piece of the ribosome: solution structure of S16 and its location in the 30S subunit.

BACKGROUND: X-ray crystallography has recently yielded much-improved electron-density maps of the bacterial ribosome and its two subunits and many structural details of bacterial ribosome subunits are now being resolved. One approach to complement the structures and elucidate the details of rRNA and protein packing is to determine structures of individual protein components and model these into existing intermediate resolution electron density. RESULTS: We have determined the solution structure of the ribosomal protein S16 from Thermus thermophilus. S16 is a mixed alpha/beta protein with a novel folding scaffold based on a five-stranded antiparallel/parallel beta sheet. Three large loops, which are partially disordered, extend from the sheet and two alpha helices are packed against its concave surface. Calculations of surface electrostatic potentials show a large continuous area of positive electrostatic potential and smaller areas of negative potential. S16 was modeled into a 5.5 A electron-density map of the T. thermophilus 30S ribosomal subunit. CONCLUSIONS: The location and orientation of S16 in a narrow crevice formed by helix 21 and several other unassigned rRNA helices is consistent with electron density corresponding to the shape of S16, hydroxyl radical protection data, and the electrostatic surface potential of S16. Two protein neighbors to S16 are S4 and S20, which facilitate binding of S16 to the 30S subunit. Overall, this work exemplifies the benefits of combining high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structures of individual components with low-resolution X-ray maps to elucidate structures of large complexes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of the structure of Tetrahymena nuclear RNAs in vivo: telomerase RNA, the self-splicing rRNA intron, and U2 snRNA.

Dimethyl sulfate modification of RNA in living Tetrahymena thermophila allowed assessment of RNA secondary structure and protein association. The self-splicing rRNA intron had the same methylation pattern in vivo as in vitro, indicating that the structures are equivalent and suggesting that this RNA is not stably associated with protein in the nucleolus. Methylation was consistent with the current secondary structure model. Much of telomerase RNA was protected from methylation in vivo, but the A's and C's in the template region were very reactive. Thus, most telomerase is not base paired to telomeres in vivo. Protein-free telomerase RNA adopts a structure different from that in vivo, especially in the template and pseudoknot regions. The U2 snRNA showed methylation protection at the Sm protein-binding sequence and the mRNA branch site recognition sequence. For both telomerase RNA and U2 snRNA, the in vivo methylation pattern corresponded much better to the structure determined by comparative sequence analysis than did the in vitro methylation pattern. Thus, as expected, comparative analysis gives the structure of the RNA in vivo.

Animals↗

The architecture of 5S rRNA and its relation to function.

An extensive comparative analysis of the available primary sequence data on 5S rRNA has been made. A universal secondary structure is presented for procaryotic 5S rRNA which contains four helical regions. Eucaryotic 5S rRNAs are found to have only three of these helices and thus have a somewhat different architecture. In addition, a highly conserved segment of more than thirty nucleotides is identified in the 5' half of the procaryotic molecule. This segment includes the oligonucleotide -CGAAC- which presumably binds to the t-RNA "common" sequence -GTpsiCG-. Among the eucaryotes, the plants display a procaryotic nature in this region, but no eucaryote has the sequence -CGAAC- in this segment. A functional role for the procaryotic 5S rRNA molecule is discussed in which it is envisioned to undergo conformational change, i.e., coiling and uncoiling of one of the helices, which can result in a cyclic interaction of the 5S rRNA molecule with two t-RNA molecules. A general principle also emerges: the natural rotational motion inherent in coiling and uncoiling of nucleic acid helices can be converted quite simply to linear mechanical motion.

Base Sequence↗

Theileria: improved species discrimination using oligonucleotides derived from large subunit ribosomal RNA sequences.

Partial nucleotide sequences of large subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU rRNA) coding genes of Theileria parva and T. taurotragi were determined. Alignment of the T. parva and T. taurotragi sequences revealed species-specific regions within the LSU rRNA genes. A major species-variable region, located between the first and second conserved secondary structure domains of LSU rRNA, was identified. The sequence of the major species-variable region was determined for T. annulata, T. buffeli, and an unclassified Theileria species isolated from buffalo. Species-specific oligonucleotides complementary to LSU rRNA sequences were designed for five species of Theileria. The oligonucleotide probes discriminated between Theileria species when hybridized to amplified parasite LSU rRNA genes or directly to parasite rRNA. Three species-specific oligonucleotides derived from nonoverlapping sequences were developed for each of T. parva and T. taurotragi. A simplified procedure was developed in which T. parva- and T. taurotragi-specific oligonucleotides were used to discriminate the two species under nonstringent hybridization and washing conditions. Use of the nonstringent conditions also increased the sensitivity of target detection. Comparison of Theileria species-specific oligonucleotides derived from large subunit and small subunit rRNA genes demonstrated that, for closely related species, probes derived from LSU rRNA sequences had improved specificity.

Animals↗

Primary structure of the Paramecium tetraurelia small-subunit rRNA coding region: phylogenetic relationships within the Ciliophora.

We have sequenced the coding region for the small-subunit rRNA gene from Paramecium tetraurelia. Similarity comparisons between small-subunit rRNAs from representatives of the Metazoa, the Plantae, the Fungi and four other members of the Ciliophora were used to construct phylogenetic trees. In these phylogenies the Ciliophora diverged from the eukaryotic line of descent as a loose phylogenetic grouping during a radiative period that gave rise to the Fungi, the Plantae and the Metazoa.

Animals↗

Structural analysis and in vitro processing to p5 rRNA of a 9S RNA molecule isolated from an rne mutant of E. coli.

A temperature-sensitive mutant of E. coli, rne (RNAase E-), accumulates a number of relatively small RNA molecules at the nonpermissive temperature. One of these molecules, 9S, contains 5S rRNA sequences. The 9S RNA can be processed in vitro to 5S (p5) and a 4S-sized molecule. The 9S and the p5 and 4S RNAs processed from it were all characterized by RNAase T1 fingerprinting and pancreatic RNAase redigestion analysis. Unique oligonucleotides found in the p5 and the 4S RNA are present as unique oligonucleotides in the 9S RNA, suggesting that each 9S molecule contains one 5S and one 4S RNA moiety. Since the 9S RNA contains about 420 nucleotides, and intervening sequences are not known to exist in E. coli, the 5S an 4S RNAs cannot be more than 200 nucleotides apart in the genome. E. coli contains at least three different sequence variants of 5S rRNA, all of which can be identified in the 9S transcript, indicating that 9S RNA is transcribed from most, if not all, of the active rRNA genes, and that RNAase E processes transcripts derived from all these rRNA genes. No modified bases were found in the 4S RNA, nor was its sequence compatible with the known sequences of tRNAs found near the 5S rRNA. We therefore conclude that the 9S RNA doses not contain tRNA, and that the tRNA molecules located near the 5S rRNA are distal to it.

Escherichia coli↗