Search

We constructed an artificial yeast rRNA gene and studied its transcription after introduction into a recipient yeast strain. The artificial gene comprised a fragment containing the sequence from position ‐207 to +128 relative to the site of initiation of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis 37S pre‐rRNA, followed by a marker fragment from Spirodela oligorhiza chloroplast DNA and finally a fragment containing the sequence from position ‐36 to +101 relative to the 3′ end of the 26S rRNA gene. The resulting construct was cloned into the yeast‐Escherichia coli shuttle vector pJDB207. Both Northern blot hybridization and R‐loop analysis of RNA from transformed Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells revealed a discrete transcript of the expected length. S1 nuclease mapping as well as primer extension analysis showed that the major proportion of the transcripts was initiated at exactly the same site as 37S pre‐rRNA. These results show that the respective rDNA fragments contain the information for correct initiation of transcription and formation of the 3′ end. A minor proportion of the transcripts was initiated at a number of sites between positions ‐1 and ‐100 upstream of the predominant start. The proportion and the pattern of these upstream starts is affected by the vector context of the artificial rRNA gene.

Previous studies have revealed the occurrence of two closely linked conserved sequence elements, designated as HOMOL 1 and RPG box, in front of most yeast ribosomal protein genes examined. To investigate whether these conserved nucleotide elements play a role in the regulation of ribosomal protein gene expression, we performed deletion analysis of the DNA region upstream of the gene encoding ribosomal protein L25. To that end we constructed a hybrid gene consisting of the pertinent 5′‐flanking sequence and the Escherichia coli galK marker gene. The effects on the transcription of this fusion gene of Bal31‐generated deletions were measured by Northern analysis of RNA isolated from the respective transformed yeast cells. The results demonstrate that removal of one box has a detrimental effect on the level of transcription, whereas after the deletion of both boxes hardly any transcription can be observed. Subsequently we inserted synthetic oligonucleotides in the upstream region of an L25 gene from which the original boxes had been removed. Expression of the inactivated hybrid gene turned out to be restored even by insertion of one RPG element. Moreover, the RPG box functions in both orientations, though not with equal efficiency.

Deletion analysis of artificial rRNA minigenes transformed into Saccharomyces cerevisiae revealed that a 110 bp long fragment corresponding to positions ‐36 to +74 relative to the 3′‐end of the 26S rRNA gene, is both necessary and sufficient for obtaining transcripts whose 3′‐termini are identical to those of 26S and 37S (pre‐)rRNA. These termini are produced via processing of longer transcripts because in an rna 82.1 mutant the majority of the minigene transcripts extend further downstream. Since the rna 82.1 mutation inactivates an endonuclease involved in the 3′‐processing of 5S pre‐rRNA it is concluded that the maturation of 37S‐ and that of 5S pre‐rRNA requires a common factor. Comparison of the spacer sequences between Saccharomyces carlsbergensis, Saccharomyces rosei and Hansenula wingei revealed several conserved sequence blocks within the region between +10 and +55. These conserved sequence tracts, which are part of a longer region showing dyad symmetry, are supposed to be involved in the interaction with the processing component(s). Deletion of the sequences required for the formation of the 3′‐ends of 26S rRNA and 37S pre‐rRNA revealed a putative terminator for transcription by RNA polymerase I situated at position +210. This site maps within a DNA fragment that also contains the enhancing element for rDNA transcription by RNA polymerase I.

The binding site of the yeast 60S ribosomal subunit protein L25 on 26S rRNA was determined by RNase protection experiments. The fragments protected by L25 originate from a distinct substructure within domain IV of the rRNA, encompassing nucleotides 1465‐1632 and 1811‐1861. The protected fragments are able to rebind to L25 showing that they constitute the complete protein binding site. This binding site is remarkably conserved in all 23/26/28S rRNAs sequenced to date including Escherichia coli 23S rRNA. In fact heterologous complexes between L25 and E. coli 23S rRNA could be formed and RNase protection studies on these complexes demonstrated that L25 indeed recognizes the conserved structure. Strikingly the L25 binding site on 23S rRNA is virtually identical to the previously identified binding site of E. coli ribosomal protein EL23. Therefore EL23 is likely to be the prokaryotic counterpart of L25 in spite of the limited homology displayed by the amino acid sequences of the two proteins.

In the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis (Ls), growth and associated processes are likely to be controlled by a family of molluscan insulin-related peptides (MIP). Here we report on the cloning of a cDNA encoding a putative receptor for these MIP. This cDNA was isolated from Ls via PCR with degenerate oligodeoxynucleotides corresponding to conserved parts of the tyrosine kinase domain of the human insulin receptor and its Drosophila homologue. Many of the typical insulin-receptor features, including a cysteine-rich domain, a single transmembrane domain and a tyrosine-kinase domain are conserved in the predicted, 1607-amino acid (aa) protein. Comparison of the aa sequence of the molluscan receptor to other insulin-receptor sequences revealed strong variations in the percentage of sequence identity for the different domains, ranging from 70% sequence identity in the tyrosine-kinase domain to virtually no sequence identity in the C-terminal sequence. Striking differences are the absence of a clear tetrabasic cleavage site, and the extremely long C-terminus of 308 aa that contains seven Tyr residues. Southern blot analyses at varying stringencies, extensive screening of cDNA- and genomic libraries, and PCR experiments indicate the presence of a single putative MIP receptor. This suggests that the four different MIP may exert their functional role in Ls by binding to the same receptor.