Isolation of biologically active transfer RNA from transfer RNA-DNA hybrids

A streptomycin-resistant Escherichia coli mutant with ribosomes temperature-sensitive in the suppression of a nonsense codon

Cell free extracts from a streptomycin-resistant E. coli mutant which is also temperature-sensitive for Q beta phage were studied for suppression of a nonsense mutation at various temperatures. The streptomycin-resistant ribosomes of the mutant were found to be temperature-sensitive in suppression of an amber mutation in f2 phage coat protein while retaining the ability to synthesize proteins at an elevated temperature (42 degrees C). The restriction of amber suppression at 42 degrees C is assumed to be related to an alteration in ribosomal protein S12 of the streptomycin-resistant mutant which also causes a change in its electrophoretic mobility.

Purification and in vitro transcription of a transfer RNA gene

A gene specifying tyrosine transfer RNA has been purified and transcribed in vitro. The purification procedure made use of two specialized transducing phages carrying the tRNA(Tyr) gene of Escherichia coli inserted into their DNA in opposite orientations. The separated heavy strands of the two phages were annealed and the single-stranded tails of the resulting hybrid were removed by digestion with Neurospora endonuclease. The size of the purified double-stranded structures was determined by electron microscopy. These isolated duplexes served as template for the in vitro transcription of tRNA(Tyr)-like molecules.

In vitro transcription of a transfer RNA gene

The Escherichia coli tRNA(Tyr) gene carried by the varphi80psu(3) + transducing phage was transcribed in vitro by DNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The enzymatically synthesized tRNA(Tyr)-like polynucleotide chains were detected by competition with purified E. coli(32)P-tRNA(Tyr) for specific hybridization sites on varphi80psu(3) + DNA. Analysis by sucrose gradient centrifugation showed the tRNA(Tyr)-like chains to possess a heterogeneous distribution with respect to sedimentation coefficients, with a broad peak around 8 S. The presence of the termination factor rho during the transcription did not significantly reduce the average size of the in vitro synthesized tRNA(Tyr)-like chains.