Biomaterial Database

Initiation of Escherichia coli ribosomal RNA synthesis in vivo. 1979

E Lund, and J E Dahlberg

The 5'-terminal sequences of Escherichia coli ribosomal RNA precursors (pre-rRNAs) synthesized in vivo were characterized by RNA oligonucleotide sequence analysis. The 60- to 170-nucleotide-long 5'-end-specific fragments were produced by RNase III treatment of 30S and 18S pre-rRNAs. Comparison of the RNA oligonucleotides of these fragments with known DNA sequences of the promoter regions of several ribosomal RNA operons allows us to determine the start points of transcription of each operon. We conclude that transcription of most (and perhaps all) rRNA operons is initiated in vivo at two tandem promoters, called P1 and P2, which have recently been identified by in vitro transcription studies of several groups. Depending on the transcription unit, the initiating nucleotide at P1 promoters is either ATP or GTP, whereas at P2 promoters it is either CTP or GTP.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009694	Nucleic Acid Precursors	Use for nucleic acid precursors in general or for which there is no specific heading.	Acid Precursors, Nucleic,Precursors, Nucleic Acid
D009876	Operon	In bacteria, a group of metabolically related genes, with a common promoter, whose transcription into a single polycistronic MESSENGER RNA is under the control of an OPERATOR REGION.	Operons
D002474	Cell-Free System	A fractionated cell extract that maintains a biological function. A subcellular fraction isolated by ultracentrifugation or other separation techniques must first be isolated so that a process can be studied free from all of the complex side reactions that occur in a cell. The cell-free system is therefore widely used in cell biology. (From Alberts et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2d ed, p166)	Cellfree System,Cell Free System,Cell-Free Systems,Cellfree Systems,System, Cell-Free,System, Cellfree,Systems, Cell-Free,Systems, Cellfree
D004926	Escherichia coli	A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (GRAM-NEGATIVE FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RODS) commonly found in the lower part of the intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is usually nonpathogenic, but some strains are known to produce DIARRHEA and pyogenic infections. Pathogenic strains (virotypes) are classified by their specific pathogenic mechanisms such as toxins (ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI), etc.	Alkalescens-Dispar Group,Bacillus coli,Bacterium coli,Bacterium coli commune,Diffusely Adherent Escherichia coli,E coli,EAggEC,Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli,Enterococcus coli,Diffusely Adherent E. coli,Enteroaggregative E. coli,Enteroinvasive E. coli,Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli
D005796	Genes	A category of nucleic acid sequences that function as units of heredity and which code for the basic instructions for the development, reproduction, and maintenance of organisms.	Cistron,Gene,Genetic Materials,Cistrons,Genetic Material,Material, Genetic,Materials, Genetic
D001483	Base Sequence	The sequence of PURINES and PYRIMIDINES in nucleic acids and polynucleotides. It is also called nucleotide sequence.	DNA Sequence,Nucleotide Sequence,RNA Sequence,DNA Sequences,Base Sequences,Nucleotide Sequences,RNA Sequences,Sequence, Base,Sequence, DNA,Sequence, Nucleotide,Sequence, RNA,Sequences, Base,Sequences, DNA,Sequences, Nucleotide,Sequences, RNA
D012329	RNA, Bacterial	Ribonucleic acid in bacteria having regulatory and catalytic roles as well as involvement in protein synthesis.	Bacterial RNA
D012335	RNA, Ribosomal	The most abundant form of RNA. Together with proteins, it forms the ribosomes, playing a structural role and also a role in ribosomal binding of mRNA and tRNAs. Individual chains are conventionally designated by their sedimentation coefficients. In eukaryotes, four large chains exist, synthesized in the nucleolus and constituting about 50% of the ribosome. (Dorland, 28th ed)	Ribosomal RNA,15S RNA,RNA, 15S
D014158	Transcription, Genetic	The biosynthesis of RNA carried out on a template of DNA. The biosynthesis of DNA from an RNA template is called REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION.	Genetic Transcription