RNA-RNA and RNA-protein interactions in 30 S ribosomal subunits. Association of 16 S rRNA fragments in the presence of ribosomal proteins

Sequence-specific cleavage of small-subunit (SSU) rRNA with oligonucleotides and RNase H: a rapid and simple approach to SSU rRNA-based quantitative detection of microorganisms

A rapid and simple approach to the small-subunit (SSU) rRNA-based quantitative detection of a specific group of microorganisms in complex ecosystems has been developed. The method employs sequence-specific cleavage of rRNA molecules with oligonucleotides and RNase H. Defined mixtures of SSU rRNAs were mixed with an oligonucleotide (referred to as a "scissor probe") that was specifically designed to hybridize with a particular site of targeted rRNA and were subsequently digested with RNase H to proceed to sequence-dependent rRNA scission at the hybridization site. Under appropriate reaction conditions, the targeted rRNAs were correctly cut into two fragments, whereas nontargeted rRNAs remained intact under the same conditions. The specificity of the cleavage could be properly adjusted by controlling the hybridization stringency between the rRNA and the oligonucleotides, i.e., by controlling either the temperature of the reaction or the formamide concentration in the hybridization-digestion buffer used for the reaction. This enabled the reliable discrimination of completely matched rRNA sequences from single-base mismatched sequences. For the detection of targeted rRNAs, the resulting RNA fragment patterns were analyzed by gel electrophoresis with nucleotide-staining fluorescent dyes in order to separate cleaved and intact rRNA molecules. The relative abundance of the targeted SSU rRNA fragments in the total SSU rRNA could easily be calculated without the use of an external standard by determining the signal intensity of individual SSU rRNA bands in the electropherogram. This approach provides a fast and easy means of identification, detection, and quantification of a particular group of microbes in clinical and environmental specimens based on rRNA.

A new technique for the characterization of long-range tertiary contacts in large RNA molecules: insertion of a photolabel at a selected position in 16S rRNA within the Escherichia coli ribosome

A new approach for inserting a photo-label at a selected position within the long ribosomal RNA molecules has been developed. The Escherichia coli 16S rRNA was cleaved at a single internucleotide bond, 1141-1142, with RNase H in the presence of a complementary chimeric oligonucleotide. 4-Thiouridine 5', 3'-diphosphate was ligated to the 3'-end of the 5'fragment at the cleavage site with T4 RNA ligase. The 16S rRNA fragments containing this added photo-reactive nucleotide were assembled together with total 30S ribosomal proteins into small ribosomal subunits. The ability of such 30S particles containing fragmented rRNA to form 70S ribosomes has been demonstrated previously. Crosslinks were induced within the 30S subunits by mild UV irradiation. The sites of crosslinking within the 16S rRNA were then analyzed using RNase H digestion and reverse transcription. Two crosslinks from the thio-nucleotide attached to nt C1141 of 16S rRNA were observed, namely to nt U1295 and G1272. These results are in agreement with the established proximity of helix 39 and 41 in the 3D structure of the 30S ribosomal subunit, as shown by other intra RNA crosslinking data. These data furthermore allow us to refine the structural arrangement of helices 41 and 39 relative to one another.