Novel non-coding RNAs in Dictyostelium discoideum and their expression during development.
The quest for non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the last few years has revealed a surprisingly large number of small RNAs belonging to previously known as well as entirely novel classes. Computational and experimental approaches have uncovered new ncRNAs in all kingdoms of life. In this work, we used a shotgun cloning approach to construct full-length cDNA libraries of small RNAs from the eukaryotic model organism Dictyostelium discoideum. Interestingly, two entirely novel classes of RNAs were identified of which one is developmentally regulated. The RNAs within each class share conserved 5'- and 3'-termini that can potentially form stem structures. RNAs of both classes show predominantly cytoplasmic localization. In addition, based on conserved structure and/or sequence motifs, several of the identified ncRNAs could be divided into classes known from other organisms, e.g. 18 small nucleolar RNA candidates (17 box C/D, of which a few are developmentally regulated, and one box H/ACA). Two ncRNAs showed a high degree of similarity to the small nuclear U2 RNA and signal recognition particle RNA (SRP RNA), respectively. Furthermore, the majority of the regions upstream of the sequences encoding the isolated RNAs share conserved motifs that may constitute new promoter elements.
Aspegren
Anders
A
Department of Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 590, S-75124 Uppsala, Sweden.
Hinas
Andrea
A
Larsson
Pontus
P
Larsson
Anders
A
Söderbom
Fredrik
F
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004023:Dictyostelium / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D015723:Gene Library; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear / Q000737:chemistry; D020537:RNA, Small Nucleolar / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear; D020537:RNA, Small Nucleolar; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; C405484:U2 small nuclear RNA