The 3 ′ termini of small RNAs in Trypanosoma brucei

• Published in: FEMS microbiology letters Vol. 236; no. 1; pp. 73 - 78
• Main Authors: Hitchcock, Robert A, Zeiner, Gusti M, Sturm, Nancy R, Campbell, David A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier B.V 01.07.2004; Blackwell
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Exonuclease; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Kinetoplastid; Microbiology; Nucleic Acid Conformation; RNA, Protozoan - chemistry; RNA, Protozoan - genetics; RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S - chemistry; RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S - genetics; RNA, Ribosomal, 5S - chemistry; RNA, Ribosomal, 5S - genetics; RNA, Small Nuclear - chemistry; RNA, Small Nuclear - genetics; RNA, Small Nucleolar - chemistry; RNA, Small Nucleolar - genetics; rRNA; snoRNA; snRNA; Trypanosoma brucei brucei - genetics; Exonuclease; Kinetoplastid; snRNA; rRNA; snoRNA; Kinetoplastida; Protozoa; Ribosomal RNA; Trypanosoma brucei
• ISSN: 0378-1097; 1574-6968
• DOI: 10.1016/j.femsle.2004.05.020

Post-transcriptional 3 ′ end formation is an essential step in the maturation of most small RNAs. Knowledge of the precise 3 ′ ends of mature RNAs is essential for defining 3 ′-processing activities. We have mapped the mature 3 ′ ends of Spliced Leader RNA, the U1, U2, U4, U5, and U6 small nuclear RNAs, the U3 small nucleolar RNA, and the 5S and 5.8S ribosomal RNAs by ligation-mediated PCR in Trypanosoma brucei. With the exception of U5, two classes of 3 ′ ends were observed: flush with the base of a stem–loop structure, and 1–2 nt extended from a stem–loop. Multiple mechanisms and structural features are likely to influence 3 ′ end maturation of RNAs.