Multiple forms of U2 snRNA coexist in the silk moth Bombyx mori.
Eight U2 snRNA variants were isolated from several Bombyx mori U2-specific RT-PCR libraries. U2 sequences and secondary structures were generated and examined in terms of potential RNA and protein interactions. Analysis indicated that nucleotide changes occurred in both stem/loop and single-stranded areas. Changes in the double stranded areas were either compensatory, single substitutions (e.g. C <--> U) or prevented the double-stranded formation of one or two base pairs. The polymorphisms were clustered in moderately conserved regions. Some of the changes observed generated stronger base pairing. Inter-species conserved protein or RNA-binding sites were relatively unaffected. No polymorphic sites were found in known functional sequences. Bombyx mori and Drosophila melanogaster U2 sequences are 95% and 70% similar at the 5'- and the 3'-ends of the molecule, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the U2 sequences demonstrates remarkable conservation across species.
Sierra-Montes
J M
JM
Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
Freund
A V
AV
Ruiz
L M
LM
Szmulewicz
M N
MN
Rowold
D J
DJ
Herrera
R J
RJ
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D012831:Bombyx / Q000235:genetics*; D004735:Energy Transfer; D015723:Gene Library; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D010802:Phylogeny; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear; C405484:U2 small nuclear RNA