title: Systematic deletion of rRNAs for investigating ribosome architecture and function.
abstract: Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) form a fundamental structure of ribosome, and play crucial roles in protein biosynthesis. To investigate functional importance of RNA helices in both 16S and 23S rRNAs, we devised an E. coli genetic system that allowed us to identify and select functional deletions in rRNAs. We here describe many RNA helices in rRNAs to be shortened or completely truncated. These results suggest architectural flexibility of rRNAs in ribosome assembly and function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
authors.forename: Kei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kitahara
authors.forename: Neuza S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Namba
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yokota
authors.forename: Tarou
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsujimura
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D020459:Genes, rRNA; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry*; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D012338:RNA, Ribosomal, 23S / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D017384:Sequence Deletion
chemical_list: D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D012338:RNA, Ribosomal, 23S