It has previously been observed that Rickettsia prowazekii has an unusual arrangement of the rRNA genes. In this species, the three rRNA genes, 16S (rrs), 23S (rrl), and 5S (rrf), are not linked in the typical arrangements for bacteria. Rather, the 16S rRNA gene has been separated from the 23S and 5S rRNA gene cluster, and the 23S rRNA gene is preceded by a gene which codes for methionyl-tRNAf(...

The human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, maintains at least two distinct types, A and S, of developmentally controlled ribosomal RNAs. To investigate specific functions associated with these rRNAs, we replaced the Saccharomyces cerevisiae GTPase domain of the 25S rRNA with GTPase domains corresponding to the Plasmodium A- and S-type 28S rRNAs. The A-type rRNA differs in a single nonco...

Structure and organization of two complete ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sets, rrnO and rrnA, were determined for the first time in Bacillus subtilis. They are located at the region of the replication origin of the chromosome. Each set constitutes a single operon of: two tandem promoters - leader sequence - 16S rRNA gene - Ile-tRNA gene - Ala-tRNA gene - 23S rRNA gene - 5S rRNA gene - termination s...

A temperature-sensitive mutant of Escherichia coli at the nonpermissive temperature fails to produce normal levels of 5 S rRNA. Instead, a number of larger RNA molecules are accumulated. One of these molecules, a 9 S RNA, contains 5 S rRNA sequences. When the strain is shifted from a nonpermissive to a permissive temperature, radioactive label is lost from the 9 S RNA and appears in 5 S rRNA. T...

The MYC transcription factor coordinates, via different RNA polymerases, the transcription of both ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and protein genes necessary for nucleolar as well as mitochondrial ribogenesis. In this study we tested if MYC-coordination of rRNA transcription in the nucleolus and in the mitochondrion drives (cancer) cell proliferation. Here we show that the anti-proliferative effect of CX...

To elucidate the molecular mechanism by which the potent anticancer drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-FUra), inhibits cell proliferation, the effect of its metabolite, 5-fluorouridine triphosphate, on transcription of rat rRNA gene and processing of pre-rRNA was investigated in S-100 extract from the mouse lymphosarcoma cells. The in vitro processing of pre-rRNA substrate synthesized from the T3 promoter...

In eukaryotes, each of the more than 100 copies of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes exists in either an RNA polymerase I transcribed open chromatin state or a nucleosomal, closed chromatin state. Open rRNA genes guarantee the cell's supply with structural components of the ribosome, whereas closed rRNA genes ensure genomic integrity. We report that the observed balance between open and closed rRNA ge...

A cDNA clone that encodes the large subunit of mitochondrial ribosomal RNA (LSU rRNA) from the liver fluke F. hepatica was isolated and characterized. This RNA molecule is polyadenylated at the 3' end and represents 10% of the poly A+RNA in adult F. hepatica. Fluke LSU rRNA has significant sequence homology to mosquito mitochondria LSU rRNA and is more closely related to the mitochondrial rRNA ...

It has become increasingly clear that proper cellular control of pluripotency and differentiation is related to the regulation of rRNA synthesis. To further our understanding of the role that the regulation of rRNA synthesis has in pluripotency we monitored rRNA synthesis during the directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). We discovered that the rRNA synthesis rate is red...

Correct docking of U3 small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) on pre-ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA) is essential for rRNA processing to produce 18S rRNA. In this report, we have used Xenopus oocytes to characterize the structural requirements of the U3 snoRNA 3'-hinge interaction with region E1 of the external transcribed spacer (ETS) of pre-rRNA. This interaction is crucial for docking to initiate rRNA process...