title: An RNA ligase from wheat germ which participates in transfer RNA splicing in vitro.
abstract: Transfer RNA half-molecules are intermediates in the splicing of tRNA precursors containing intervening sequences. We have utilized yeast tRNA half-molecules to identify and partially purify an ATP-dependent RNA ligase activity from extracts of wheat germ. This activity can complement a yeast tRNA endonuclease in vitro to efficiently splice 10 different yeast tRNA precursors. The products of in vitro splicing are a covalently joined tRNA and a circular intervening sequence RNA. The internucleotide bond formed at the splice junction is a 2'-phosphomonoester, 3',5'-phosphodiester structure. The 2'-phosphate originates from the 2',3'-cyclic phosphate at the 3' terminus of the 5' half-tRNA. The phosphodiester phosphate is derived from the gamma-phosphate of ATP.
mesh_terms: D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes; D010944:Plants / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D011118:Polynucleotide Ligases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011130:RNA Ligase (ATP) / Q000378:metabolism*; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012265:Ribonucleotides / Q000032:analysis; D014908:Triticum / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes; D012265:Ribonucleotides; D012343:RNA, Transfer; D011118:Polynucleotide Ligases; D011130:RNA Ligase (ATP)