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Localization and structure of endonuclease cleavage sites involved in the processing of the rat 32S precursor to ribosomal RNA.

The initial endonuclease cleavage site in 32 S pre-rRNA (precursor to rRNA) is located within the rate rDNA sequence by S1-nuclease protection mapping of purified nucleolar 28 S rRNA and 12 S pre-rRNA. The heterogeneous 5'- and 3'-termini of these rRNA abut and map within two CTC motifs in tSi2 (internal transcribed spacer 2) located at 50-65 and 4-20 base-pairs upstream from the homogeneous 5'-end of the 28 S rRNA gene. These results show that multiple endonuclease cleavages occur at CUC sites in tSi2 to generate 28 S rRNA and 12 S pre-rRNA with heterogeneous 5'- and 3'-termini, respectively. These molecules have to be processed further to yield mature 28 S and 5.8 S rRNA. Thermal-denaturation studies revealed that the base-pairing association in the 12 S pre-rRNA:28 S rRNA complex is markedly stronger than that in the 5.8 S:28 S rRNA complex. The sequence of about one-quarter (1322 base-pairs) of the 5'-part of the rat 28 S rDNA was determined. A computer search reveals the possibility that the cleavage sites in the CUC motifs are single-stranded, flanked by strongly base-paired GC tracts, involving tSi2 and 28 S rRNA sequences. The subsequent nuclease cleavages, generating the termini of mature rRNA, seem to be directed by secondary-structure interactions between 5.8 S and 28 S rRNA segments in pre-rRNA. An analysis for base-pairing among evolutionarily conserved sequences in 32 S pre-rRNA suggests that the cleavages yielding mature 5.8 S and 28 S rRNA are directed by base-pairing between (i) the 3'-terminus of 5.8 S rRNA and the 5'-terminus of 28 S rRNA and (ii) the 5'-terminus of 5.8 S rRNA and internal sequences in domain I of 28 S rRNA. A general model for primary- and secondary-structure interactions in pre-rRNA processing is proposed, and its implications for ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes are briefly discussed.

Animals↗

Assembly and functional organization of the nucleolus: ultrastructural analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants.

Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with genetically modified nucleoli, we show here that changing parameters as critical as the tandem organization of the ribosomal genes and the polymerase transcribing rDNA, although profoundly modifying the position and the shape of the nucleolus, only partially alter its functional subcompartmentation. High-resolution morphology achieved by cryofixation, together with ultrastructural localization of nucleolar proteins and rRNA, reveals that the nucleolar structure, arising upon transcription of rDNA from plasmids by RNA polymerase I, is still divided in functional subcompartments like the wild-type nucleolus. rRNA maturation is restricted to a fibrillar component, reminiscent of the dense fibrillar component in wild-type cells; a granular component is also present, whereas no fibrillar center can be distinguished, which directly links this latter substructure to rDNA chromosomal organization. Although morphologically different, the mininucleoli observed in cells transcribing rDNA with RNA polymerase II also contain a fibrillar subregion of analogous function, in addition to a dense core of unknown nature. Upon repression of rDNA transcription in this strain or in an RNA polymerase I thermosensitive mutant, the nucleolar structure falls apart (in a reversible manner), and nucleolar constituents partially relocate to the nucleoplasm, indicating that rRNA is a primary determinant for the assembly of the nucleolus.

Bacterial Proteins↗

The structure of the archaebacterial ribosomal protein S7 and its possible interaction with 16S rRNA.

Ribosomal protein S7 is one of the ubiquitous components of the small subunit of the ribosome. It is a 16S rRNA-binding protein positioned close to the exit of the tRNA, and it plays a role in initiating assembly of the head of the 30S subunit. Previous structural analyses of eubacterial S7 have shown that it has a stable alpha-helix core and a flexible beta-arm. Unlike these eubacterial proteins, archaebacterial or eukaryotic S7 has an N-terminal extension of approximately 60 residues. The crystal structure of S7 from archaebacterium Pyrococcus horikoshii (PhoS7) has been determined at 2.1 A resolution. The final model of PhoS7 consists of six major alpha-helices, a short 3(10)-helix and two beta-stands. The major part (residues 18-45) of the N-terminal extension of PhoS7 reinforces the alpha-helical core by well-extended hydrophobic interactions, while the other part (residues 46-63) is not visible in the crystal and is possibly fixed only by interacting with 16S rRNA. These differences in the N-terminal extension as well as in the insertion (between alpha1 and alpha2) of the archaebacterial S7 structure from eubacterial S7 are such that they do not necessitate a major change in the structure of the currently available eubacterial 16S rRNA. Some of the inserted chains might pass through gaps formed by helices of the 16S rRNA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phylogenetic analyses among octocorals (Cnidaria): mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences (lsu-rRNA, 16S and ssu-rRNA, 18S) support two convergent clades of branching gorgonians.

Gorgonian octocorals lack corroborated hypotheses of phylogeny. This study reconstructs genealogical relationships among some octocoral species based on published DNA sequences from the large ribosomal subunit of the mitochondrial RNA (lsu-rRNA, 16S: 524bp and 21 species) and the small subunit of the nuclear RNA (ssu-rRNA, 18S: 1815bp and 13 spp) using information from insertions-deletions (INDELS) and the predicted secondary structure of the lsu-rRNA (16S). There were seven short (3-10bp) INDELS in the 18S with consistent phylogenetic information. The INDELS in the 16S corresponded to informative signature sequences homologous to the G13 helix found in Escherichia coli. We found two main groups of gorgonian octocorals using a maximum parsimony analysis of the two genes. One group corresponds to deep-water taxa including species from the suborders Calcaxonia and Scleraxonia characterized by an enlargement of the G13 helix. The second group has species from Alcyoniina, Holaxonia and again Scleraxonia characterized by insertions in the 18S. Gorgonian corals, branching colonies with a gorgonin-containing flexible multilayered axis (Holaxonia and Calcaxonia), do not form a monophyletic group. These corroborated results from maternally inherited (16S) and biparentally inherited (18S) genes support a hypothesis of independent evolution of branching in the two octocoral clades.

Animals↗

Intervening sequences (IVSs) in the 23S ribosomal RNA genes of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica strains. The IVSs in Y. enterocolitica and Salmonella typhimurium have a common origin.

The 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) was shown to be in two fragments in pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica. The cleavage site in the structural gene of the 23S rRNA was occupied by an intervening sequence (IVS) of about 100 nucleotides, analogous to IVSs found in salmonellae (Burgin et al., 1990). Nucleotide sequences of IVSs of several Y. enterocolitica strains revealed that the IVSs of the highly virulent Y. enterocolitica serotypes strains, and the IVS of Salmonella typhimurium were about 90% similar. On the other hand, the IVSs of the highly and the poorly virulent Y. enterocolitica serotypes were only about 60% similar. These results give the impression that at some point during the IVS evolution, the highly virulent Y. enterocolitica and S. typhimurium both received their IVSs at about the same time from the same source, and that the poorly virulent serotypes received their IVSs earlier. We also found that strain LB5010, derived by extended mutagenization of S. typhimurium LT2, had lost the IVSs originally present in LT2, and that this loss had created a new 'hairpin loop' which substituted for the original 'hairpin loop'.

Base Sequence↗

Cold shock induction of yeast NSR1 protein and its role in pre-rRNA processing.

Yeast NSR1 protein is structurally related to mammalian nucleolin and is involved in ribosome synthesis as described in the preceding paper (Kondo, K., and Inouye, M. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 16252-16258). We report here the regulation of NSR1 gene expression and the effect of nsr1 deletion on growth and pre-rRNA processing after cold shock. A basal level of the transcript was detected at 30 degrees C only in exponentially growing cells and increased approximately 3-fold after cold shock to 10 degrees C. NSR1 protein level also increased about 3-fold after the shock. The nsr1 deletion caused a severe growth defect at low temperatures as well as a long growth lag after temperature shift from 30 to 10 degrees C. Northern hybridization analysis demonstrated that cold shock led to a rapid decrease in the amounts of 27 S, 20 S, and 7 S rRNA precursors in the nsr1 strain, although at 30 degrees C a major defect was observed only in 20 S pre-rRNA synthesis. Pulse-chase labeling of rRNA showed that pre-rRNA processing in the nsr1 strain was greatly impaired after cold shock. These results demonstrate that the NSR1 protein is required for normal pre-rRNA processing and cell growth in yeast when cells are exposed to abrupt temperature drop.

Base Sequence↗

Molecular-cytogenetic characterization of the Vicia faba genome--heterochromatin differentiation, replication patterns and sequence localization.

A comprehensive survey of the molecular-cytogenetic features of the Vicia faba chromosome complement (2n = 12) is given. It includes previous as well as new original data. Various Giemsa, restriction endonuclease and fluorochrome banding patterns, azacytidine-mediated segment extension, replication patterns, lateral A/T asymmetry and sequence localization data for tandemly arranged simple sequence repeats, dispersed repeats and coding sequences as well as histone acetylation patterns are considered. This allows not only to distinguish and characterize telomeres, subtelomeres, centromeres and the NOR, but also the structure of the 5S rRNA gene loci and two main types of interstitial heterochromatin. Additionally, it offers physical landmarks within euchromatic areas. Thus, the field bean genome, exemplified by the reconstructed karyotype ACB, belongs to the cytogenetically best investigated plant genomes.

Chromosome Banding↗

Unusual metal specificity and structure of the group I ribozyme from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii 23S rRNA.

Group I intron ribozymes require cations for folding and catalysis, and the current literature indicates that a number of cations can promote folding, but only Mg2+ and Mn2+ support both processes. However, some group I introns are active only with Mg2+, e.g. three of the five group I introns in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. We have investigated one of these ribozymes, an intron from the 23S LSU rRNA gene of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Cr.LSU), by determining if the inhibition by Mn2+ involves catalysis, folding, or both. Kinetic analysis of guanosine-dependent cleavage by a Cr.LSU ribozyme, 23S.5 Delta Gb, that lacks the 3' exon and intron-terminal G shows that Mn2+ does not affect guanosine binding or catalysis, but instead promotes misfolding of the ribozyme. Surprisingly, ribozyme misfolding induced by Mn2+ is highly cooperative, with a Hill coefficient larger than that of native folding induced by Mg2+. At lower Mn2+ concentrations, metal inhibition is largely alleviated by the guanosine cosubstrate (GMP). The concentration dependence of guanosine cosubstrate-induced folding suggests that it functions by interacting with the G binding site, perhaps by displacing an inhibitory Mn2+. Because of these and other properties of Cr.LSU, the tertiary structure of the intron from 23S.5 Delta Gb was examined using Fe2+-EDTA cleavage. The ground-state structure shows evidence of an unusually open ribozyme core: the catalytic P3-P7 domain and the nucleotides that connect it to the P4-P5-P6 domain are exposed to solvent. The implications of this structure for the in vitro and in vivo properties of this intron ribozyme are discussed.

Animals↗

The nucleotide sequence of the 17S ribosomal RNA gene of Tetrahymena thermophila and the identification of point mutations resulting in resistance to the antibiotics paromomycin and hygromycin.

We have determined the complete sequence of the nuclear gene encoding the small subunit (17 S) rRNA of the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila. The gene encodes an RNA molecule which is 1753 nucleotides in length. The sequence of the Tetrahymena small subunit rRNA is homologous to those of other eukaryotes, and the predicted secondary structure for the molecule includes features which are characteristic of eukaryotic small subunit rRNAs. We have also determined the nature of two different mutations in the Tetrahymena 17 S gene which result in resistance to the aminoglycoside antibiotics paromomycin and hygromycin. In each case we have identified a single base change near the 3' end of the rRNA, within a region that is highly evolutionarily conserved in both sequence and secondary structure. Analysis of the effects of these mutations on rRNA structure, and of the impact of these drugs on translation, should help to elucidate the role of the small subunit ribosomal RNA in ribosome function.

Animals↗

RNA binding strategies of ribosomal proteins.

Structures of a number of ribosomal proteins have now been determined by crystallography and NMR, though the complete structure of a ribosomal protein-rRNA complex has yet to be solved. However, some ribosomal protein structures show strong similarity to well-known families of DNA or RNA binding proteins for which structures in complex with cognate nucleic acids are available. Comparison of the known nucleic acid binding mechanisms of these non-ribosomal proteins with the most highly conserved surfaces of similar ribosomal proteins suggests ways in which the ribosomal proteins may be binding RNA. Three binding motifs, found in four ribosomal proteins so far, are considered here: homeodomain-like alpha-helical proteins (L11), OB fold proteins (S1 and S17) and RNP consensus proteins (S6). These comparisons suggest that ribosomal proteins combine a small number of fundamental strategies to develop highly specific RNA recognition sites.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Evidence for interaction of 5.8S rRNA with the 5'- and 3'- terminal segments of Saccharomyces cerevisiae 25S rRNA.

The possible sites of 5.8S:25S rRNA interaction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are investigated by blot-hybridization of in vivo 32P-labelled 5.8S rRNA with restriction fragments from the 25S rRNA gene. Strong hybridization signals are obtained with fragments from the 5'-end (nucleotides 1 to 494) and the 3'-end (3066 to 3391) of the gene. The fragments from the remaining part of the gene are negative. A computer analysis of the known Saccharomyces cerevisiae 5.8S (Rubin 1973) and 25S (Georgiev et al. 1981) rRNA sequences show a markedly higher complementarity between 5.8S rRNA and the 5'- and 3'-terminal segments of 25S rRNA corresponding to the hybridization positive rDNA fragments. In accordance with the experimental and sequence analysis data, two alternative end-to-end base pairing models of possible 5.8S:25S rRNA binding are proposed. Both models imply that 5.8S rRNA connects the 5'- and 3'-terminal segments of 25S rRNA, but differ in the extent of preservation of the secondary structure typical of free 5.8S rRNA. It is suggested that the requirement for 5'- and 3'-end binding of 23S rRNA in Escherichia coli is conserved in evolution and that in eukaryotes 5.8S rRNA plays the role of joining together the two ends of L-rRNA molecules.

Base Sequence↗

Ribosomal RNA precursors of Bacillus subtilis.

The DNA sequence of the region corresponding to the 5'-end of a 16S rRNA gene of B. subtilis 168 was determined. Comparison of this sequence with the sequences flanking other 16S and 23S rRNA coding regions (1-4) indicated that large RNA stem structures, surrounding the mature 16S and 23S rRNAs, could form in a precursor rRNA. The 5'-ends of the precursors of 16S and 23S rRNAs (p16S and p23S) were mapped to the middles of these potential RNA stem structures. We propose that the initial cleavages of the primary rRNA transcript occur near the "opposed G's" which interrupt the basepairing of each of these stem structures. This model is supported by the finding that the 5'-end of the 5S rRNA precursor, p5A (5), maps to the region of the "opposed G's" in the 23S rRNA stem structure.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Additional Watson-Crick interactions suggest a structural core in large subunit ribosomal RNA.

Two new Watson-Crick type interactions in 23S-like ribosomal RNA have been identified by comparative sequence analysis. These interactions, A1269/U2011 and C1270/G2010 (E. coli numbering) along with the previously proposed A1262/U2017 suggest an anti-parallel helical arrangement characteristic of secondary structure in the 1265/2015 region of 23S rRNA. Nested within these three interactions are three universal juxtapositions which in principle allow the formation of an irregular helix containing two additional A-G interactions and a universal A-U pair. Whether or not this extended helix is biologically significant is uncertain. The proponderance of interactions in the 1265/2015 region and its location relative to the known structural domains of 23S rRNA suggest that this region may be part of a central structural core similar to that already known in 16S rRNA.

Animals↗

The kink-turn: a new RNA secondary structure motif.

Analysis of the Haloarcula marismortui large ribosomal subunit has revealed a common RNA structure that we call the kink-turn, or K-turn. The six K-turns in H.marismortui 23S rRNA superimpose with an r.m.s.d. of 1.7 A. There are two K-turns in the structure of Thermus thermophilus 16S rRNA, and the structures of U4 snRNA and L30e mRNA fragments form K-turns. The structure has a kink in the phosphodiester backbone that causes a sharp turn in the RNA helix. Its asymmetric internal loop is flanked by C-G base pairs on one side and sheared G-A base pairs on the other, with an A-minor interaction between these two helical stems. A derived consensus secondary structure for the K-turn includes 10 consensus nucleotides out of 15, and predicts its presence in the 5'-UTR of L10 mRNA, helix 78 in Escherichia coli 23S rRNA and human RNase MRP. Five K-turns in 23S rRNA interact with nine proteins. While the observed K-turns interact with proteins of unrelated structures in different ways, they interact with L7Ae and two homologous proteins in the same way.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Xenopus laevis 28S ribosomal RNA: a secondary structure model and its evolutionary and functional implications.

Based upon the three experimentally derived models of E. coli 23S rRNA (1-3) and the partial model for yeast 26S rRNA (4), which was deduced by homology to E. coli, we derived a secondary structure model for Xenopus laevis 28S rRNA. This is the first complete model presented for eukaryotic 28S rRNA. Compensatory base changes support the general validity of our model and offer help to resolve which of the three E. coli models is correct in regions where they are different from one another. Eukaryotic rDNA is longer than prokaryotic rDNA by virtue of introns, expansion segments and transcribed spacers, all of which are discussed relative to our secondary structure model. Comments are made on the evolutionary origins of these three categories and the processing fates of their transcripts. Functionally important sites on our 28S rRNA secondary structure model are suggested by analogy for ribosomal protein binding, the GTPase center, the peptidyl transferase center, and for rRNA interaction with tRNA and 5S RNA. We discuss how RNA-RNA interactions may play a vital role in translocation.

Animals↗

Plant ribosomal DNA external spacer binding factors: a novel protein binds specifically to a sequence close to the primary pre-rRNA processing site.

Sequence analyses of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) external spacer region revealed a peculiar structure around the primary pre-rRNA processing site in radish. Using the electrophoretic mobility shift assay, DNAse I footprinting and methylation interference analysis, we have identified in radish extracts a novel nuclear factor, NF B, that recognises this region. NF B binds to a unique CGATTTTGCCCCTGA sequence located 164 bp downstream of the transcription initiation site and immediately upstream of the pre-rRNA processing site. Interestingly, this motif is flanked by four homologous sequences, including the primary pre-rRNA processing site, which are not recognised by NF B. Based on these data and the prediction that alternative hairpin loops can be formed in this region of the nascent pre-rRNA, a putative role for NF B as a factor coupling transcription and pre-rRNA processing is discussed. NF B is unique among plant and animal rDNA-binding proteins and it differs from a previously described radish factor and from other proteins that bind to plant rDNA promoters.

Base Sequence↗

The calculation of plant 5S rRNAs secondary structure.

Using commercially available computer software package for ribonucleic acid (RNA) secondary structure analysis we calculated the free energy (delta G) of all higher plant 5S rRNA species. To gain insight into the relation between structure (nucleotide sequence) and free energy we generated point mutants of plant 5S rRNA and calculated their secondary structure. This analysis permitted to identify single sites which affect the stability and conformation of RNA molecule. Furthermore, the calculated data were compared with the electrophoretic mobility of 5S rRNA on polyacrylamide gels.

Base Sequence↗

Long-residency hydration, cation binding, and dynamics of loop E/helix IV rRNA-L25 protein complex.

Molecular dynamics simulations of RNA-protein complex between Escherichia coli loop E/helix IV (LE/HeIV) rRNA and L25 protein reveal a qualitative agreement between the experimental and simulated structures. The major groove of LE is a prominent rRNA cation-binding site. Divalent cations rigidify the LE major groove geometry whereas in the absence of divalent cations LE extensively interacts with monovalent cations via inner-shell binding. The HeIV region shows bistability of its major groove explaining the observed differences between x-ray and NMR structures. In agreement with the experiments, the simulations suggest that helix-alpha1 of L25 is the least stable part of the protein. Inclusion of Mg2+ cations into the simulations causes perturbation of basepairing at the LE/HeIV junction, which does not, however, affect the protein binding. The rRNA-protein complex is mediated by a number of highly specific hydration sites with long-residing water molecules and two of them are bound throughout the entire 24-ns simulation. Long-residing water molecules are seen also outside the RNA-protein contact areas with water-binding times substantially enhanced compared to simulations of free RNA. Long-residency hydration sites thus represent important elements of the three-dimensional structure of rRNA.

Binding Sites↗