Work

The secondary structure of a messenger RNA precursor probed with psoralen is melted in anin vitrosplicing reaction

Year: 1987

Type: article

Abstract: The secondary structure of the SP6/mouse insulin precursor RNA was determined by psoralen cross-linking experiments. A series of long-range contacts occur within the left half of the pre-mRNA that contains the intervening sequence. Multiple secondary structures for the pre-mRNA exist since some of the interactions share common sites. In splicing buffer but without the splicing extract added, many of these interactions are stable up to at least 50 degrees C. These interactions, however, are dissociated during the in vitro splicing reaction. This dissociation requires ATP and it occurs during the first 30 min. of the splicing reaction. Pre-mRNAs containing psoralen cross-links in different locations within the RNA molecule were purified and used as substrates for in vitro splicing. Psoralen cross-links at any of the double-stranded regions resulted in complete inhibition of the splicing reaction. This indicates that destabilization of the secondary structure of the SP6/mouse insulin pre-mRNA is necessary for in vitro splicing.

Source: Nucleic Acids Research

DOI: 10.1093/nar/15.22.9279

Authors: Paul L. Wollenzien, Prabhat Goswami, John Teare, Jozsef Szeberenyi, Carlos J. Goldenberg

Institutions: University of Miami, Saint Louis University, University of Pecs

Language: English

Topic: RNA Research and Splicing

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Awards: G2706479273, G4975115587