Formation of a 2'-phosphomonoester, 3',5'-phosphodiester linkage by a novel RNA ligase in wheat germ.
Extracts of wheat germ contain an RNA ligase activity that catalyses the conversation of linear polyribonucleotides into covalently closed circles. The newly formed 3',5'-phosphodiester bridge is resistant to alkali and a number of ribonucleases. This unusual stability is due to the presence of a phosphoryl group esterified to the 2'-position of the 3'-nucleotide joined. This is the first demonstration of an RNA ligase in higher plants and of a natural 2'-phosphomonoester, 3',5'-phosphodiester linkage.
D009694:Nucleic Acid Precursors / Q000378:metabolism; D011118:Polynucleotide Ligases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011130:RNA Ligase (ATP) / Q000378:metabolism*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014027:Tobacco Mosaic Virus; D014908:Triticum / Q000201:enzymology*
D009694:Nucleic Acid Precursors; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011118:Polynucleotide Ligases; D011130:RNA Ligase (ATP)