A catalytically active group II intron domain 5 can function in the U12-dependent spliceosome.
Both spliceosomal and self-splicing group II introns require the function of similar small, metal binding RNA stem-loop elements located in U6 or U6atac snRNAs of the spliceosome or domain 5 (D5) of group II introns. Here we report that two different D5 elements can functionally replace the U6atac snRNA stem-loop in an in vivo splicing assay. For efficient function in vivo, a single base pair from the upper helical section of the D5 sequence had to be removed. Introducing the equivalent base pair deletion into the D5 element of a group II intron reduced but did not eliminate self-splicing activity. Our results strengthen the case that these RNA elements play similar roles in the catalytic centers of both the spliceosome and a self-splicing ribozyme.
Shukla
Girish C
GC
Department of Molecular Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
Padgett
Richard A
RA
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D016466:CHO Cells; D002384:Catalysis; D006224:Cricetinae; D007438:Introns; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D012313:RNA; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear / Q000235:genetics*; D017381:Spliceosomes / Q000235:genetics*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear; C096986:U12 small nuclear RNA; D012313:RNA