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The final step in the formation of 25S rRNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is performed by 5′ → 3′ exonucleases

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 December 2000

TORSTEN H. GEERLINGS
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituut Moleculair Biologische Wetenschappen, BioCentrum Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit, de Boelelaan 1083, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
JAN C. VOS
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituut Moleculair Biologische Wetenschappen, BioCentrum Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit, de Boelelaan 1083, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
HENDRIK A. RAUÉ
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituut Moleculair Biologische Wetenschappen, BioCentrum Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit, de Boelelaan 1083, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract

The final stage in the formation of the two large subunit rRNA species in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the removal of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) from the 27SB precursors. This removal is initiated by endonucleolytic cleavage approximately midway in ITS2. The resulting 7S pre-rRNA, which is easily detectable, is then converted into 5.8S rRNA by the concerted action of a number of 3′ → 5′ exonucleases, many of which are part of the exosome. So far the complementary precursor to 25S rRNA resulting from the initial cleavage in ITS2 has not been detected and the manner of its conversion into the mature species is unknown. Using various yeast strains that carry different combinations of wild-type and mutant alleles of the major 5′ → 3′ exonucleases Rat1p and Xrn1p, we now demonstrate the existence of a short-lived 25.5S pre-rRNA whose 5′ end is located closely downstream of the previously mapped 3′ end of 7S pre-rRNA. The 25.5S pre-rRNA is converted into mature 25S rRNA by rapid exonucleolytic trimming, predominantly carried out by Rat1p. In the absence of Rat1p, however, the removal of the ITS2 sequences from 25.5S pre-rRNA can also be performed by Xrn1p, albeit somewhat less efficiently.

Type
REPORT
Copyright
© 2000 RNA Society

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