The 3' terminal sequence of chicken ovalbumin messenger RNA and its comparison with other messenger RNA molecules

Characterisation of three cDNA clones encoding different mRNAs for the precursor to the small subunit of wheat ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase

We have isolated and sequenced three cDNA clones for the nuclear-encoded precursor to the small subunit of the chloroplast enzyme, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase of wheat. The nucleotide sequences of these clones are different, indicating that they are probably derived from three different mRNAs. This finding is consistent with the proposal that this polypeptide is encoded by a multigene family in wheat, in support of similar data reported by Broglie et al. (Bio/Technology 1:55-61, 1983). We deduce that the mature small subunit polypeptide is comprised of 128 amino acids and that its precursor contains an N-terminal transit peptide sequence. The sequences of both the mature small subunit and its transit peptide differ at several positions from those determined by Broglie et al, (1983) from a different wheat cultivar. Different wheat cultivars might therefore contain different small subunit polypeptides. A comparison of nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the small subunit from wheat, pea, soybean and spinach shows that these sequences are not highly conserved, particularly between monocotyledon and dicotyledon species.

Nucleotide sequence encoding the precursor of the small subunit of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase from Lemna gibba L.G-3

We have sequenced a cDNA clone, pLgSSU, which encodes the small subunit of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase of Lemna gibba L.G-3 a monocot plant. This clone contains a 832 basepair insert which encodes the entire 120 amino acids of the mature small subunit polypeptide (Mr = 14,127). In addition this clone encodes 53 amino acids of the amino terminal transit peptide of the precursor polypeptide and 242 nucleotides of the 3' non-coding region. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence of pLgSSU with Lemna gibba genomic sequences homologous to the 5' end of the cDNA clone suggests that nucleotides encoding four amino-terminal amino acids of the transit peptide are not included in the cDNA clone. The deduced amino acid sequence of the Lemna gibba mature small subunit polypeptide shows 70-75% homology to the reported sequences of other species. The transit peptide amino acid sequence shows less homology to other species. There is 50% homology to the reported soybean sequence and only 25% homology to the transit sequence of another monocot, wheat.

Complete sequence of an immunoglobulin mRNA using specific priming and the dideoxynucleotide method of RNA sequencing

The complete sequence of the mouse immunoglobulin kappa light chain MOPC 21 messenger RNA has been determined using a chain termination method and chemically synthesised deoxyoligonucleotides to initiate the synthesis of a DNA molecule complementary to the mRNA template. Five such oligonucleotide primers have been used for the sequence analysis of this messenger RNA. The approach is excellent for comparative studies of mouse k-chain mRNAs because they can be made on impure mRNA preparations. The MOPC 21 light chain mRNA is 943 nucleotides in length excluding the poly(A) region. An unexpected finding was that there are only three bases in the 5' non-coding region and its significance in terms of ribosome binding is discussed; 87 code for the precursor or leader sequence of the protein, 642 for the mature protein and 211 for the 3' non-coding region. The codons for the precursor region allows the previously undetermined amino acid sequence to be predicted. In common with other precursor regions a high proportion of the predicted amino acids are hydrophobic.

tRNA punctuation model of RNA processing in human mitochondria

A 3'-end proximal segment of most of the putative mRNAs encoded in the heavy strand of HeLa cell mtDNA has been partially sequences and aligned with the DNA sequence. In all cases, the 3'-end nucleotide of the individual mRNA coding sequences has been found to be immediately contiguous to a tRNA gene or another mRNA coding sequence. These and previous results indicate that the heavy (H) strand sequences coding for the rRNA, poly(A)-containing RNA and tRNA species form a continuum extending over almost the entire length of this strand. We propose that the H strand is transcribed into a single polycistronic RNA molecule, which is processed later into mature species by precise endonucleolytic cleavages which occur, in most cases, immediately before and after a tRNA sequence.

Use of oligodeoxynucleotide primers to determine poly(adenylic acid) adjacent sequences in messenger ribonucleic acid. 3'-Terminal noncoding sequence of bovine growth hormone messenger ribonucleic acid

Twelve synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide primers of the general sequence d(pT8-N-N') were tested in a reverse transcriptase reaction for specific initiation of complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) synthesis at the poly(adenylic acid) junction of a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) template. Only the sequence d(pT8-G-C) functioned as a specific primer of cDNA synthesis with an enriched fraction of bovine growth hormone mRNA from the anterior pituitary gland and produced unique fragments in a dideoxy sequencing reaction. The nucleotide sequence obtained by this method extended into the protein coding region of bovine growth hormone mRNA and was confirmed by chemical sequencing of the cDNA initiated with [5'-32P]d(pT8-G-C). The 3'-untranslated region of bovine growth hormone mRNA is 104 nucleotides in length and contains regions of significant homology with both rat and human growth hormone mRNAs, including the region surrounding the common AAUAAA hexanucleotide. The method presented here for selection of the d(pT8-N-N') primer complementary to the poly(A) junction of mRNA is of general applicability for nucleotide sequence analysis of partially purified mRNAs.

The ovalbumin gene-sequence of putative control regions

We present the sequence of regions of the chicken ovalbumin gene believed to be important in the control of initiation of transcription, splicing, and transcription termination or polyadenylation. Comparison with corresponding areas of other genes reveals some homologous regions which might play a role in these processes.

Evolution of two major chorion multigene families as inferred from cloned cDNA and protein sequences

Complete or partial sequences are reported from six chorion cDNA clones of the silkmoth Antheraea polyphemus. The proteins encoded belong to the two major chorion protein classes, A and B, each of which is encoded by a multigene family. The sequence comparisons define some major features of the families and suggest how these genes may be evolving. Deletions and insertions might be involved in expanding or contracting internally repetitive regions. Sequence divergence is localized, thus defining sequence domains of distinct evolutionary properties and presumably distinct functions.

Nucleotide sequence coding for the N-terminal region of the matrix protein influenza virus

After polyadenylation in vitro of the influenza virus RNA segment which contains the coding information for the matrix protein, a cDNA copy can be made using the primer p(dT)8-dA and reverse transcriptase. The sequence of 166 nucleotides of the cDNA was determined by a modification [Brownlee, G. G. & Cartwright, E. M. (1977) J. Mol. Biol, 114, 93--117] of the plus/minus method [Sanger, F. & Coulson, A. R. (1975) J. Mol. Biol. 94, 441--481] and adaptation of the "dideoxy" method [Sanger, F., Nicklen, S. & Coulson, A. R. (1977) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74, 5463--5467] for sequencing DNA. The cDNA sequences is of the same sense as the mRNA for matrix protein and contains a potential initiating codon, d(ATG), at position 26--28. When matrix protein purified from virus particles was digested with chymotrypsin or trypsin and the amino acid compositions of separated peptides determined, one peptide containing nine amino acids found which had a composition corresponding to that predicted by the cDNA sequence following the first methionine codon, confirming that protein synthesis initiates at this position. The compositions of four other peptides matches those predicted from the nucleotide sequence. There is no processing of the N terminus of the protein before incorporation into the virus particle except for removal of the N-terminal methionine and addition of a "blocking" group on the resulting N-terminal serine residue.

Composition and properties of messenger ribonucleoprotein fragments containing and lacking polyadenylate

Ribonucleoprotein fragments were isolated from Ehrlich ascites cell messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP), immobilized on oligo(dT)-cellulose, by successive RNAase and formamide treatments and their RNA and protein moieties were characterized. A 8--10 S formamide-eluted (F) RNP primarily contained the poly(A) segment as an RNA moiety, as evidenced by its characteristic electrophoretic mobility, resistance to RNAase digestion, affinity for nitrocellulose filters and poly(U), and base composition. In contrast, the RNAase-eluted (R) fraction was composed of a 2--3 S RNP carrying a much shorter polyribonucleotide fragment of heterogeneous base composition and properties unlike poly(A). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis indicated that the protein moieties of the R fraction were composed primarily of 56 000, 67 000, and 71 000 molecular weight polypeptides whereas those of the F fraction contained the latter three polypeptides as well as a major species exhibiting a molecular weight of 81 000. The data demonstrate that RNA sequences other than poly(A) interact with protein in mRNP, that three major mRNP polypeptides are associated with both poly(A) and non-poly(A) RNA binding sites, and that one major polypeptide is specifically bound to the poly-(A) region of mRNP.

Nucleotide sequence at the 5' end of ovalbumin messenger RNA from chicken

DNA-sequence analysis of 300 nucleotides from the region of cloned, double-stranded ovalbumin cDNA corresponding to the 5' end of ovalbumin messenger RNA was accomplished using the technique of Maxam and Gilbert (Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA (1977) 74,560-564). The AUG initiation codon was located 52 nucleotides from the AT linkers used in cloning and immediately adjacent to the amino terminal peptide of ovalbumin, indicating the absence of a "signal peptide" in this protein. The nucleotide sequence coding for a phosphorylated peptide from ovalbumin was also found. These results demonstrate that the coding portion of mRNAov begins near the 5' end of the molecule leaving some 600 nucleotides of noncoding information at the 3' end.

Sequence of chicken ovalbumin mRNA

The complete sequence of chicken ovalbumin mRNA is presented; it is 1,859 residues long, excluding its terminal 'cap' and poly(A). The region coding for ovalbumin lies close to the 'cap' but is separated from the poly(A) by an extensive 3' noncoding region of 637 nucleotides which may have no function that is precisely dependent on its sequence.

Conservation of the primary structure at the 3' end of 18S rRNA from eucaryotic cells

DNA sequencing methods have been used to determine a sequence of about 20 nucleotides at the 3' termini of various 18S (small ribosomal subunit) RNA molecules. Polyadenylated rRNA was first synthesized using the enzyme ATP:polynucleotidyl transferase from mainze. Then in the presence of an oligonucleotide primer uniquely complementary to the end of each adenylated rRNA, a cDNA copy was produced using AMV reverse transcriptase. In every case, the cDNA transcript was of finite size, which we ascribe to the appearance of an oligonucleotide containing m62A near the 3' end of the 18S rRNAs. Sequences at the 3' termini of 18S rRNA molecules from the four eucaryotic species examined here (mouse, silk worm, wheat embryo and slime mold) are highly conserved. They also exhibit strong homology to the 3' end of E. coli 16S rRNA. Two important differences, however, are apparent. First, the 16S sequence CCUCC, implicated in mRNA binding by E. coli ribosomes, is absent from each eucaryotic rRNA sequence. Second, a purine-rich region which exhibits extensive complementarity to the 5' noncoding regions of many eucaryotic mRNAs appears consistently.

Isolation of messenger RNA coding for eggshell protein of the DNA-eliminating nematode Ascaris lumbricoides

Poly(A)-containing RNA from polyploid uterine epithelial cells of Ascaris lumbricoides has been isolated by poly(U)-Sepharose chromatography. The bulk of poly(A)-containing RNA migrates as 18-S RNA in formamide/polyacrylamide gels. In a cell-free wheat germ system, this RNA directs the synthesis of a polypeptide with identical migration behavior in dodecylsulphate/urea/polyacrylamide gels as the polypeptide isolated from the proteinaceous eggshell. The two proteins reveal almost identical peptide patterns in fingerprint analysis. The authentic eggshell protein has been identified as a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of about 10000, as determined by dodecylsulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The apparent discrepancy between mRNA length and the required coding length for the protein is discussed.

Protamine messenger RNA from rainbow trout testis contains the nucleotide sequence A-A-U-A-A-A in an untranslated region

Full-length, complementary DNAs were prepared to rainbow trout protamine mRNA using reverse transcriptase and were labelled during synthesis by the replacement of dATP by [alpha32P]dATP or dTTP by [alpha32P]dTTP. The 32P-labelled protamine complementary DNAs were digested with T4 endonuclease IV. Fragments from the digests were separated in two dimensions, and those discrete fragments which could be identified from both the A-labelled and T-labelled complementary DNAs were subjected to sequence analysis. The sequences described here all arise from the non-coding region. One pentadecanucleotide contained the sequence A-A-U-A-A-A which has been reported by Proudfoot and Brownlee ((1976) Nature 263, 211-214) to occur in the noncoding regions of six other eukaryotic mRNAs.

Complete nucleotide sequence of the 5' noncoding region of human alpha-and beta-globin mRNA

The 5' noncoding regions of human alpha-and beta-globin mRNAs, 37 and 50 nucleotides in length, have been sequenced. A variation of the "plus and minus" gel technique described by Brownlee and Cartwright (1977) was used, and the results were cross-checked by the Maxam and Gilbert (1977) procedure. These studies completed the knowledge of all the noncoding region sequences of both mRNAs, and it was then possible to calculate their exact size. Human alpha-and beta-globin mRNAs are 575 and 626 nucleotides in length, excluding the poly(A). Furthermore, because the coding and 3' noncoding regions of the latter were known from previous studies (Marotta et al., 1977; Proudfoot, 1977), the primary structure of human beta-globin mRNA is now complete except for six ambiguities in the coding region. The human and rabbit 5' noncoding region sequences are about 80% homologous. This suggests that they are under a moderate selective pressure.

Nucleotide sequence of the 3' terminal third of rabbit alpha-globin messenger RNA: comparison with human alpha-globin messenger RNA

Rabbit and human alpha-globin complementary DNA was synthesized using the primer (dT10)dGdCdC hybridized to globin mRNA with reverse transcriptase, and sequenced using the plus and minus gel sequencing procedure (Sanger and Coulson, 1975; Brownlee and Cartwright, 1977). The complete 3' noncoding region, 89 nucleotides in length, and one third of the coding region of rabbit alpha-globin mRNA have thus been sequenced. These data are compared with the near complete 3' noncoding region sequence of human alpha-globin mRNA obtained in these and previous studies. The two mRNAs are approximately 80% homologous in their 3' noncoding regions, except that the human sequence has an insert of 24 nucleotides. A very similar insert in sequence has been described in human beta-globin mRNA (Proudfoot, 1977).

Complete nucleotide sequence of the 5' noncoding region of rabbit beta-globin mRNA

The 5' noncoding region sequence of rabbit beta-globin mRNA has been determined. This region is 53 nucleotides long, not including the A-U-G initiator sequence or m7Gppp "cap" structure. 32P-labeled DNA complementary to the 5' noncoding region was synthesized using reverse transcriptase with the synthetic deoxyoctanucleotide d(G-C-A-C-C-A-T-T) as a "primer". The cDNA produced was then sequenced using a modification of the gel-sequencing technique previously developed for DNA sequencing (G.G. Brownlee and E.M. Cartwright, manuscript in preparation). The sequence obtained was checked by depurination and nearest-neighbor analysis. The known sequence at the 3' end of rabbit 18S ribosomal RNA cannot base-pair extensively with the 5' noncoding region of beta-globin mRNA; however, it does form 6 base pairs around the initiation codon.