QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Kennell, J C Articles by Lambowitz, A M Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Kennell, J C Articles by Lambowitz, A M Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Research Papers

The VS catalytic RNA replicates by reverse transcription as a satellite of a retroplasmid.

Department of Molecular Genetics, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210-1292.

Abstract

The mitochondria of certain natural isolates of Neurospora contain both the Varkud plasmid, which encodes a reverse transcriptase, and a small unrelated RNA (VS RNA) that performs RNA-mediated self-cleavage and ligation reactions. Here, we show that VS RNA is transcribed from a VS plasmid DNA template by the Neurospora mitochondrial RNA polymerase using a promoter located immediately upstream of the RNA self-cleavage site that generates monomeric transcripts. VS RNA is then reverse transcribed by the Varkud plasmid reverse transcriptase to yield a full-length (-) strand cDNA, a predicted replication intermediate. Combined with previous genetic evidence, our results indicate that the VS plasmid replicates by reverse transcription as a satellite of the Varkud plasmid. This mode of replication, unprecedented for a satellite RNA, likely reflects the promiscuity of the Varkud plasmid reverse transcriptase, which does not require a specific primer to initiate cDNA synthesis. Our findings indicate how primitive reverse transcriptases with similar relaxed specificity could have facilitated the evolution of new retroelements.

CiteULike

Connotea

Del.icio.us

Digg

Reddit

Technorati

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. M.J. LILLEY The Varkud satellite ribozyme RNA, February 1, 2004; 10(2): 151 - 158. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. D. Jones, S. P. Ryder, and S. A. Strobel An efficient ligation reaction promoted by a Varkud Satellite ribozyme with extended 5'- and 3'-termini Nucleic Acids Res., December 15, 2001; 29(24): 5115 - 5120. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Mohr, L. A. Wanner, H. Bertrand, and A. M. Lambowitz Characterization of an unusual tRNA-like sequence found inserted in a Neurospora retroplasmid Nucleic Acids Res., July 1, 2000; 28(13): . [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Mohr, L. A. Wanner, H. Bertrand, and A. M. Lambowitz Characterization of an unusual tRNA-like sequence found inserted in a Neurospora retroplasmid. Nucleic Acids Res., July 1, 2000; 28(13): 1514 - 1524. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]