A novel small nucleolar RNA (U16) is encoded inside a ribosomal protein intron and originates by processing of the pre-mRNA.
We report that the third intron of the L1 ribosomal protein gene of Xenopus laevis encodes a previously uncharacterized small nucleolar RNA that we called U16. This snRNA is not independently transcribed; instead it originates by processing of the pre-mRNA in which it is contained. Its sequence, localization and biosynthesis are phylogenetically conserved: in the corresponding intron of the human L1 ribosomal protein gene a highly homologous region is found which can be released from the pre-mRNA by a mechanism similar to that described for the amphibian U16 RNA. The presence of a snoRNA inside an intron of the L1 ribosomal protein gene and the phylogenetic conservation of this gene arrangement suggest an important regulatory/functional link between these two components.
Fragapane
P
P
Centro Acidi Nucleici of CNR, Università La Sapienza, Roma, Italy.
Prislei
S
S
Michienzi
A
A
Caffarelli
E
E
Bozzoni
I
I
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / Q000378:metabolism; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D004247:DNA; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012322:RNA Precursors / Q000378:metabolism*; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear / Q000235:genetics*; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014982:Xenopus laevis
D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D012322:RNA Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins; C047458:fibrillarin; C028546:ribosomal protein L1; D004247:DNA