External guide sequences for an RNA enzyme.
Ribonuclease P (RNase P) from Escherichia coli or its catalytic RNA subunit can efficiently cleave small RNA substrates that lack the conserved features of natural substrates of RNase P if an additional small RNA is also present. This additional RNA must contain a sequence complementary to the substrate [external guide sequence (EGS)] and a 3'-proximal CCA sequence to ensure cleavage. The aminoacyl acceptor stem and some additional 5'- and 3'-terminal sequences of a precursor transfer RNA are sufficient to allow efficient cleavage by RNAase P, and the 2'-hydroxyl group at the cleavage site is not absolutely necessary for cleavage. In principle, any RNA could be targeted by a custom-designed EGS RNA for specific cleavage by RNase P in vitro or in vivo.
Department of Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520.
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Forster
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Altman
D001483:Base Sequence; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; D004722:Endoribonucleases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D012322:RNA Precursors / Q000378:metabolism; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000378:metabolism; D043262:Ribonuclease P; D013379:Substrate Specificity
D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D012322:RNA Precursors; D012313:RNA; D012343:RNA, Transfer; D004722:Endoribonucleases; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; C032229:GANTC-specific type II deoxyribonucleases; C027046:TCGA-specific type II deoxyribonucleases; D043262:Ribonuclease P; C470865:ribonuclease P, E coli