tRNA processing and quality control in bacteria

Summary: In this work, we report that the only exoribonuclease in M. genitalium, RNase R, is able to generate mature 3'-ends. The aminoacyl-acceptor stem, CCA terminus and discriminator residue plays an important role in stopping RNase R digestion at the mature 3'-end. Disruption of the stem causes partial or complete degradation of the pre-tRNA, whereas extension of the stem results in the formation of a mature 3’-end. CC residues in CCA terminus and A or G residues at discriminator position are the most preferred residues for precise stopping of RNase R at mature 3’ end. The significance of this works shows that M. genitalium RNase R generates mature tRNA in a single step by recognizing features in the terminal domains of tRNA, a process requiring multiple RNases in most bacteria.
2013
Includes bibliography.
Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013.