Spectroscopic Evidence for the Uneven Distribution of Adenine and Uracil Residues in Ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid of Drosophila Melanogaster and of Plasmodium Knowlesi and Its Possible Evolutionary Significance

Overview

Journal Biochem J

Specialty Biochemistry

Date 1976 Jun 1

PMID 821475

Citations 6

Authors

R A Cox

E GODWIN

J R HASTINGS

Affiliations

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Abstract

RNA was isolated from subribosomal particles of the malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi. The nucleotide composition (mole fraction) of the principal species was obtained (S-rRNA, 0.295A, 0.36U, 0.25G, 0.105C: L-rRNA, 0.326A, 0.31U, 0.228G, 0.144C). Ribosomal RNA was also isolated from Drosophila melanogaster. Optical properties of these A + U-rich species were measured. In all four cases analysis of the hypochromic effect revealed that adenine and uracil residues tended to form clusters along the polynucleotide chain. A substantial fraction of residues was located in bihelical regions of approx. 50% G-C base pairs or in regions of approx. 30-35% G-C base pairs. The possible evolutionary significance of these results was considered on the basis of comparison with properties of rRNA from bacteria (Escherichia coli) and a mammal (rabbit reticulocyte).

Citing Articles

Physicochemical characterization of the ribosomal RNA species of the Mollusca. Molecular weight, integrity and secondary-structure features of the RNA of the large and small ribosomal subunits.

CAMMARANO P, Londei P, Mazzei F, Felsani A Biochem J. 1980; 189(2):313-35.

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Protein synthesis by hybrid ribosomes reconstructed from rabbit reticulocyte ribosomal core-particles and amphibian or fungal split-proteins.

Cox R, Greenwell P Biochem J. 1980; 186(3):861-72.

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Distribution of sequences common to the 25--28S-ribonucleic acid genes of Xenopus laevis and Neurospora crassa.

Cox R, Thompson R Biochem J. 1980; 187(1):75-90.

PMID: 6250536 PMC: 1162495. DOI: 10.1042/bj1870075.

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

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PMID: 6147812 PMC: 320067. DOI: 10.1093/nar/12.15.6197.

Reassembly of the peptidyltransferase centre of larger subparticles of rabbit reticulocyte ribosomes from a core-particle and split-protein fraction.

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