title: The RNA component of RNase P from the archaebacterium Haloferax volcanii.
abstract: RNase P, an endoribonuclease responsible for generating the mature 5' termini of tRNA precursors, is composed of both RNA and protein. It has been demonstrated that the eubacterial RNase P RNA will, under the appropriate reaction conditions, exhibit catalytic activity in vitro. Evidence has not been obtained for catalytic activity by the RNAs of eukaryotic RNase P enzymes. Using a cDNA probe prepared from RNA copurifying with RNase P activity from the archaebacterium Haloferax volcanii, we have characterized the gene encoding the RNase P RNA. The proposed transcript from this gene can assume a structure resembling the eubacterial RNase P RNA and includes many of the highly conserved sequences of these RNAs. This RNA was incapable of cleaving pre-tRNA substrates in the absence of protein under a variety of in vitro conditions. Catalytic activity was observed when this RNA was combined with the protein subunit of the Bacillus subtilis RNase P complex. Similarities among the archaebacterial, eubacterial, and eukaryotic RNase P RNA sequences and structures are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Nieuwlandt
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Daniels
mesh_terms: D001105:Archaea / Q000201:enzymology*; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004722:Endoribonucleases / Q000235:genetics*; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D012366:RNA, Transfer, Val / Q000235:genetics; D043262:Ribonuclease P; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012366:RNA, Transfer, Val; D004722:Endoribonucleases; D043262:Ribonuclease P