title: U14 base-pairs with 18S rRNA: a novel snoRNA interaction required for rRNA processing.
abstract: U14 is a conserved small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) required for processing of yeast 18S rRNA. The presence of two long sequences (13 and 14 nucleotides) with strong complementarity to 18S rRNA suggests that U14 base-pairs with pre-rRNA. Evidence of direct binding was developed by showing that mutations in these U14 elements mimic U14 depletion and that function can be rescued by a compensatory sequence change in 18S RNA. The U14 elements are functionally interdependent, indicating that both participate in binding. Folding models predict that binding might occur through both rRNA elements simultaneously. Potential roles of U14 in rRNA folding, maturation, and ribosome assembly are discussed. U14 is one of several snoRNAs with long complementarities to rRNA and the first snoRNA in this class shown to interact directly with rRNA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lederle Graduate Research Center, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003, USA.
authors.forename: W Q
authors.initials: WQ
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fournier
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001482:Base Composition; D002455:Cell Division; D017931:DNA Primers; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D006921:Hygromycin B / Q000494:pharmacology; D016296:Mutagenesis; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D012322:RNA Precursors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D012331:RNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017931:DNA Primers; D012322:RNA Precursors; D012331:RNA, Fungal; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear; D006921:Hygromycin B