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Posttranscriptional modifications in the A-loop of 23S rRNAs from selected archaea and eubacteria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 February 2002

M.A. HANSEN
Affiliation:
Department of Molecular Biology, University of Copenhagen, Sølvgade 83H, DK-1307 Copenhagen K, Denmark
F. KIRPEKAR
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Odense University, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
W. RITTERBUSCH
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Odense University, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark Present address: Department of Quality Assurance, Arla Foods, Sønderupvej 26, 6920 Videbæk, Denmark.
B. VESTER
Affiliation:
Department of Molecular Biology, University of Copenhagen, Sølvgade 83H, DK-1307 Copenhagen K, Denmark
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Abstract

Posttranscriptional modifications were mapped in helices 90–92 of 23S rRNA from the following phylogenetically diverse organisms: Haloarcula marismortui, Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus stearothermophilus. Helix 92 is a component of the ribosomal A-site, which contacts the aminoacyl-tRNA during protein synthesis, implying that posttranscriptional modifications in helices 90–92 may be important for ribosome function. RNA fragments were isolated from 23S rRNA by site-directed RNase H digestion. A novel method of mapping modifications by analysis of short, nucleotide-specific, RNase digestion fragments with Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS) was utilized. The MALDI-MS data were complemented by two primer extension techniques using reverse transcriptase. One technique utilizes decreasing concentrations of deoxynucleotide triphosphates to map 2′-O-ribose methylations. In the other, the rRNA is chemically modified, followed by mild alkaline hydrolysis to map pseudouridines (Ψs). A total of 10 posttranscriptionally methylated nucleotides and 6 Ψs were detected in the five organisms. Eight of the methylated nucleotides and one Ψ have not been reported previously. The distribution of modified nucleotides and their locations on the surface of the ribosomal peptidyl transferase cleft suggests functional importance.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2002 RNA Society

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