Ribosomal RNA precursors of Bacillus subtilis

Maturation of atypical ribosomal RNA precursors in Helicobacter pylori

In most bacteria, ribosomal RNA is transcribed as a single polycistronic precursor that is first processed by RNase III. This double-stranded specific RNase cleaves two large stems flanking the 23S and 16S rRNA mature sequences, liberating three 16S, 23S and 5S rRNA precursors, which are further processed by other ribonucleases. Here, we investigate the rRNA maturation pathway of the human gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. This bacterium has an unusual arrangement of its rRNA genes, the 16S rRNA gene being separated from a 23S-5S rRNA cluster. We show that RNase III also initiates processing in this organism, by cleaving two typical stem structures encompassing 16S and 23S rRNAs and an atypical stem–loop located upstream of the 5S rRNA. Deletion of RNase III leads to the accumulation of a large 23S-5S precursor that is found in polysomes, suggesting that it can function in translation. Finally, we characterize a cis-encoded antisense RNA overlapping the leader of the 23S-5S rRNA precursor. We present evidence that this antisense RNA interacts with this precursor, forming an intermolecular complex that is cleaved by RNase III. This pairing induces additional specific cleavages of the rRNA precursor coupled with a rapid degradation of the antisense RNA.

Mycobacterium smegmatis RNase J is a 5'-3' exo-/endoribonuclease and both RNase J and RNase E are involved in ribosomal RNA maturation

The presence of very different sets of enzymes, and in particular the presence of RNase E and RNase J, has been used to explain significant differences in RNA metabolism between the two model organisms Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. However, these studies might have somewhat polarized our view of RNA metabolism. Here, we identified a RNase J in Mycobacterium smegmatis that has both 5'-3' exo- and endonucleolytic activity. This enzyme coexists with RNase E in this organism, a configuration that enabled us to study how these two key nucleases collaborate. We demonstrate that RNase E is responsible for the processing of the furA-katG transcript in M. smegmatis and that both RNase E and RNase J are involved in the 5' end processing of all ribosomal RNAs. In contrast to B. subtilis, the activity of RNase J, although required in vivo for 23S rRNA maturation, is not essential in M. smegmatis. We show that the pathways for ribosomal RNA maturation in M. smegmatis are quite different from those observed in E. coli and in B. subtilis. Studying organisms containing different combinations of key ribonucleases can thus significantly broaden our view of the possible strategies that exist to direct RNA metabolism.

Maturation of the 5' end of Bacillus subtilis 16S rRNA by the essential ribonuclease YkqC/RNase J1

Functional ribosomal RNAs are generated from longer precursor species in every organism known. Maturation of the 5' side of 16S rRNA in Escherichia coli is catalysed in a two-step process by the cooperative action of RNase E and RNase G. However, many bacteria lack RNase E and RNase G orthologues, raising the question as to how 16S rRNA processing occurs in these organisms. Here we show that the maturation of Bacillus subtilis 16S rRNA is also a two-step process and that the enzyme responsible for the generation of the mature 5' end is the widely distributed essential ribonuclease YkqC/RNase J1. Depletion of B. subtilis of RNase J1 results in an accumulation of 16S rRNA precursors in vivo. The precursor species are found in polysomes suggesting that they can function in translation. Mutation of the predicted catalytic site of RNase J1 abolishes both 16S rRNA processing and cell viability. Finally, purified RNase J1 can correctly mature precursor 16S rRNA assembled in 70S ribosomes, showing that its role is direct.

Bacillus subtilis RNase III gene: cloning, function of the gene in Escherichia coli, and construction of Bacillus subtilis strains with altered rnc loci

The rnc gene of Bacillus subtilis, which has 36% amino acid identity with the gene that encodes Escherichia coli RNase III endonuclease, was cloned in E. coli and shown by functional assays to encode B. subtilis RNase III (Bs-RNase III). The cloned B. subtilis rnc gene could complement an E. coli rnc strain that is deficient in rRNA processing, suggesting that Bs-RNase III is involved in rRNA processing in B. subtilis. Attempts to construct a B. subtilis rnc null mutant were unsuccessful, but a strain was constructed in which only a carboxy-terminal truncated version of Bs-RNase III was expressed. The truncated Bs-RNase III showed virtually no activity in vitro but was active in vivo. Analysis of expression of a copy of the rnc gene integrated at the amy locus and transcribed from a p(spac) promoter suggested that expression of the B. subtilis rnc is under regulatory control.

Functional analysis of transcription of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis 16S rDNA-encoding gene

A functional analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) transcription and processing was undertaken in this study. RNA:DNA hybridizations indicated that the maximum transcriptional activity of rRNA-encoding genes (rDNA) corresponded to the earliest period of exponential growth. Transcription start points (tsp) were mapped by primer extension analysis of RNA from M. tuberculosis H37Rv and M. tuberculosis H37Ra. An identical pattern of rRNA transcription and processing was exhibited in laboratory-grown cultures of M. tuberculosis H37Rv and H37Ra. One promoter represents the structural equivalent of the Escherichia coli rrn P2 promoter. The precursor transcripts are processed into mature 16S rRNA through a pathway that includes recognition of RNA secondary structure by ribonuclease III (RNase III) in the stem structure surrounding the 16S rRNA indicating that at least this RNA processing step is conserved in mycobacteria and E. coli. The 16S rDNA promoter region from H37Rv was cloned upstream from the promoterless chloramphenicol (Cm) acetyltransferase (CAT)-encoding gene (cat) in a shuttle plasmid vector, pSD7. The promoter-fusion construct, pSD7.16S, was characterized by CAT assays, measurement of percent survival in Cm-containing medium and in vivo transcription analysis in M. smegmatis. The M. smegmatis transformant exhibited a CAT activity of 16,669 nmol/min per mg protein, suggesting that the 16S promoter was of exceptionally high strength. Two tsp utilized in M. tuberculosis were also employed in M. smegmatis. The cat mRNA synthesized under the direction of the ribosomal promoter was less stable, as compared to genome-derived rRNA.

Initiation of mRNA decay in Bacillus subtilis

Ribosome stalling in the leader region of ermC mRNA results in a 10-15-fold increase in ermC mRNA half-life in Bacillus subtilis. Fusion of the ermC 5' regulatory region to several B. subtilis coding sequences resulted in induced stability of the fusion RNAs, showing that the ermC 5' region acts as a general '5' stabilizer'. RNA products of an ermC-lacZ transcriptional fusion were inducibly stable in the complete absence of translation and included a small RNA that is likely to be a decay product arising by blockage of a 3'-to-5' exoribonuclease activity. Insertion of sequences that encode endonucleolytic cleavage sites into the ermC coding sequence resulted in cleavage products whose stability depended on the nature of their 5' and 3' ends. It can be concluded from this study that initiation of mRNA decay in B. subtilis generally occurs at or near the 5' terminus.

Identification and characterization of the ribosomal RNA-encoding genes in Clavibacter xyli subsp. cynodontis

Clavibacter xyli subsp. cynodontis (Cxc) is a xylem-inhabiting bacterial endophyte of Bermudagrass. This organism is classified with Gram-positive, high G + C content, coryneform-actinomycete bacteria. Southern-blot analysis showed that Cxc contains only one copy of the ribosomal RNA-encoding genes (rRNA). A clone containing the rRNA genes was isolated from a genomic library of Cxc DNA cloned in the lambda EMBL3 vector. The gene cluster was partially sequenced, revealing the gene order 5'-16S-23S-5S-3', similar to that found in other prokaryotes. Low-resolution S1 mapping suggested multiple transcription start points of the rRNA operon.

Cloning and characterization of the Mycobacterium leprae putative ribosomal RNA promoter in Escherichia coli

The putative promoter region of the 16S ribosomal RNA-encoding gene (rRNA) of Mycobacterium leprae was cloned and characterized in Escherichia coli. A 932-bp HaeIII restriction fragment, containing the 5' end of the 16S rRNA gene and flanking upstream region, was cloned in front of a promoterless reporter gene in the shuttle vector, pMH109, to generate the plasmid, pYA1101. This clone exhibits promoter activity both in Gram-(E. coli) and Gram+ (Bacillus subtilis) bacteria. Sequence analysis and primer extension experiments with mRNA derived from the M. leprae clone were used to determine the structure and the location of the promoter, as well as the transcription start point in E. coli. The promoter region contains sequences that resemble the -35 and -10 consensus sequences found in many bacteria. A region located 34 bp distal to the promoter is a putative rRNA processing signal, based on sequence homology with processing signals involved in the maturation of the rRNA precursor in B. subtilis and several Mycoplasma species.

Organization and nucleotide sequence analysis of a ribosomal RNA gene cluster from Streptomyces ambofaciens

The Streptomyces ambofaciens genome contains four rRNA gene clusters. These copies are called rrnA, B, C and D. The complete nucleotide (nt) sequence of rrnD has been determined. These genes possess striking similarity with other eubacterial rRNA genes. Comparison with other rRNA sequences allowed the putative localization of the sequences encoding mature rRNAs. The structural genes are arranged in the order 16S-23S-5S and are tightly linked. The mature rRNAs are predicted to contain 1528, 3120 and 120 nt, for the 16S, 23S and 5S rRNAs, respectively. The 23S rRNA is, to our knowledge, the longest of all sequenced prokaryotic 23S rRNAs. When compared to other large rRNAs it shows insertions at positions where they are also present in archaebacterial and in eukaryotic large rRNAs. Secondary structure models of S. ambofaciens rRNAs are proposed, based upon those existing for other bacterial rRNAs. Positions of putative transcription start points and of a termination signal are suggested. The corresponding putative primary transcript, containing the 16S, 23S and 5S rRNAs plus flanking regions, was folded into a secondary structure, and sequences possibly involved in rRNA maturation are described. The G + C content of the rRNA gene cluster is low (57%) compared with the overall G + C content of Streptomyces DNA (73%).

Transcriptional analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of the rrnD gene set of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)

The nucleotide sequence of 2.5 kb of the Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) rRNA gene set rrnD, extending from upstream of the 16S rRNA gene to the putative 5' end of the 23S rRNA gene, has been determined (Baylis and Bibb, 1987; this paper). In addition to locating the 5' end of the 16S rRNA gene, nuclease S1 mapping identified seven RNA 5' end-points upstream of the 16S rRNA gene; four of these were coincident with transcriptional initiation points for S. coelicolor A3(2) RNA polymerase in vitro and were consequently regarded as in vivo transcription start points for promoters p1 to p4. One end-point identified by nuclease S1 mapping localized a putative processing site analogous to those found upstream of 16S rRNA genes in other eubacteria. Sequence motifs similar to those discovered in low G+C Gram-positive bacteria were found associated with two of the promoters and the processing site. A probable protein coding region was observed upstream of the promoter region.

Analysis of transcription and processing signals in the 5' regions of the two Mycoplasma capricolum rRNA operons

The transcription and RNA processing signals of the rRNA operons (rrnA and rrnB) of Mycoplasma capricolum were analyzed by mapping the 5' ends of in vivo and in vitro synthesized RNAs. The results of both in vitro and in vivo analyses point to the rrnA operon being transcribed from two promoters (P1 and P2) into large precursor RNAs. Transcripts initiating at P1 contain two tRNAs, and probably 16 S, 23 S, and 5 S rRNAs, whereas the transcripts starting from P2 consist only of the three rRNAs. The precursor RNAs are processed via distinct intermediates into mature tRNAs and rRNAs. In vivo experiments indicated that the rrnB operon is transcribed only from one promoter, although a second promoter could be identified using cell free extracts. The rrnB operon does not contain tRNA genes, but the precursor is still processed in the same way as the rrnA precursor that is synthesized from P2.

Promoters of Mycoplasma capricolum ribosomal RNA operons: identical activities but different regulation in homologous and heterologous cells

The 5' region of the rRNA operon, rrnA, of M. capricolum was cloned. Sequence analysis revealed two tRNA genes, tRNA(leu) and tRNA(lys), upstream to the promoter of the rRNA operon. The in vivo transcription start sites of the rRNA operon and of the tRNA genes were mapped. The same promoters used by M. capricolum RNA polymerase are also recognized by E. coli RNA polymerase both in vivo and in vitro. We find that high levels of ppGpp in E. coli, resulting from amino acid starvation or from spoT mutation, activate rather than repress the transcription of the mycoplasma rrnA operon.

Analysis of transcription and processing signals of the 16S-23S rRNA operon of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

The 16S and 23S rRNA genes of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae are closely spaced in one operon. The two genes are separated by a spacer region of 500 bp which shows no sequence homology to bacterial tRNA genes. Within this operon seven 5' and five 3' ends of various rRNA species were mapped and the corresponding DNA was sequenced. The results are consistent with the following model for synthesis of rRNAs: Transcription of the operon is initiated from either of two tandemly arranged promoters leading to a large precursor RNA consisting of both 16S and 23S rRNAs. This primary transcript is first cleaved within stem structures surrounding the two rRNAs to yield premature 16S and 23S rRNAs. By further processing events the mature 5' and 3' ends are generated. The promoter sequences of this operon differ from those of other eubacterial promoters in lacking the typical -35 region. The putative termination site at the 3' end of the operon is reminiscent of rho-independent terminators in Escherichia coli.

Nucleotide sequence of the late region of Bacillus subtilis phage PZA, a close relative of phi 29

The 12,200-bp sequence of the late region of bacteriophage PZA was determined. Open reading frames (ORFs) and potential ribosome-binding sites were found in this region and the ORFs were assigned to eleven late genes. A potential bidirectional transcriptional terminator was found and its possible function is discussed.

Organization and nucleotide sequence analysis of an rRNA and tRNA gene cluster from Caulobacter crescentus

rRNA genes of Caulobacter crescentus CB13 were isolated and shown to be present in two gene clusters in the genome. The organization of each rRNA gene cluster was found to be 5'-16S-tRNA spacer-23S-5S-3'. The DNA sequence of 40% of the 16S rRNA gene, the entire 16S/23S intergenic spacer region, and portions of the 23S rRNA gene were determined. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence in the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region revealed the presence of tRNAIle and tRNAAla genes. Large invert repeat sequences were found surrounding the 16S rRNA gene. These inverted repeat sequences are analogous to the RNase III-processing sites in the E. coli rRNA precursor. Small invert repeat sequences were also found flanking the individual tRNA genes. RNA polymerase-binding studies with restriction fragments of the rRNA gene cluster revealed three regions which bound enzyme, and these regions were shown to contain transcription initiation sites. One of these sites was located within the 16S gene near its 3' end, and the other two were found at the 5' end of the 23S gene.

Plasmid transformation in Bacillus subtilis: factors affecting the synapsis of donor and recipient DNA

Hybrid plasmids were constructed in which the transcription of regions of inserted DNA was defined. Cells containing these plasmids were transformed with monomeric forms of a different hybrid plasmid, which contained, however, the same inserted DNA as the resident plasmid. The transformation frequencies observed indicated that transcription of homologous DNA in resident plasmids and also tertiary DNA structure interfered with transformation.