A mutation in a single gene of Schizosaccharomyces pombe affects the expression of several snRNAs and causes defects in RNA processing.
A bank of temperature sensitive (ts-) mutants of Schizosaccharomyces pombe was screened for snRNA expression mutants using an oligodeoxynucleotide that recognizes U2 RNA. One mutant with a novel phenotype was identified that has reduced steady-state levels of the spliceosomal snRNAs U1, U2, U4, U5 and U6. In addition, the mutant exhibits a temperature-dependent accumulation of aberrant U2 and U4 transcripts elongated at their 3' end. The steady-state concentration of the RNA component of RNase P is also reduced in the mutant, whereas the amount of U3 RNA, 7SL RNA, tRNA, rRNA and mRNA are the same as wild-type. Pre-mRNA, pre-tRNA and U6 RNA precursor processing are impaired in the mutant. Genetic analysis demonstrates that the snRNA defects are tightly linked to the ts- growth defect and are recessive. We have named this mutant snm1 to indicate a defect in snRNA maintenance. The data on snm1 suggest that a single trans-acting factor is essential for the maintenance of steady-state levels of several snRNAs and for proper 3' end formation of U2 and U4 RNAs.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, NY 11724.
J
J
Potashkin
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D
Frendewey
D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015870:Gene Expression; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012322:RNA Precursors / Q000235:genetics; D012326:RNA Splicing; D016337:RNA, Catalytic; D012331:RNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear / Q000235:genetics*; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D012260:Ribonucleases; D004718:Saccharomycetales / Q000235:genetics*; D012568:Schizosaccharomyces / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D013696:Temperature; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012322:RNA Precursors; D016337:RNA, Catalytic; D012331:RNA, Fungal; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear; D012260:Ribonucleases