Size and folding of the messenger for phage T4 lysozyme

The existence of non-random base pairing in T4-specific mRNA is supported by the nuclease digestion patterns of the messenger for phage T4 lysozyme. Under conditions which denature RNA, the nuclease nicked lysozyme mRNA recovers its activity. This behaviour can be explained by a model in which secondary structure controls initiation at existing ribosomal attachment sites.