RNA species that replicate with DNA-dependent RNA polymerase from Escherichia coli.
An RNA that replicates with core RNA polymerase from E. coli and the substrates ATP, CTP, ITP, and UTP, was selected from a random poly(A,U,I,C) library and named EcorpI. Another replicating RNA, EcorpG, was obtained by template-free incubation of holo RNA polymerase and the substrates ATP, CTP, GTP, and UTP. Both RNA species showed typical autocatalytic RNA amplification profiles with replication rates in the range of other RNA replicons. The replication products were heterogeneous in length; the different lengths appeared to be different replication intermediates. Both RNA were single-stranded with much internal base-pairing but low melting points. Their sequences were composed by permutations of certain sequence motives in both polarities separated by short oligo(A) and oligo(U) clusters. There was evidence for 3'-terminal elongation on an intramolecular template. No double-stranded RNA was found, even though base-pairing is certainly the underlying basis of the replication process. The reaction was highly sensitive: a few RNA strands were sufficient to trigger an amplification avalanche.
Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany.
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Wettich
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Biebricher
D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004261:DNA Replication; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D011777:Q beta Replicase / Q000378:metabolism; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012093:Replicon; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA; D013698:Templates, Genetic
D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D011777:Q beta Replicase; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases