Close structural resemblance among small nuclear RNAs.
The published primary and secondary structures of small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) (1-9) were reexamined and a new common model for their secondary structures was proposed. What is surprising is the resemblance of their secondary structures. U1, U2, U4, and U5 snRNAs share a common sequence of A(U)nG (n greater than or equal to 3) at the single-stranded junction between two hairpins. U6 RNA does not have the A(U)nG sequence, however, all of its possible loops have common sequences with those of U1 RNA at exactly the same positions. Other remarkable common sequences are also noted and their possible biological significance is discussed.
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002645:Chickens; D004330:Drosophila; D006801:Humans; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D051379:Mice; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D012313:RNA; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear; D051381:Rats
D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear; D012313:RNA