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H F Noller

Publications and source records attributed to H F Noller.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

A "bulged" double helix in a RNA-protein contact site.

The binding of ribosomal protein L18 affects specific nucleotides in Escherichia coli 5S RNA as detected by dimethyl sulfate alkylation and RNase A digestion of the 5S-L18 complex. Most of the affected nucleotides are clustered and localize a site of RNA-protein interaction in and around the defined central helix [Fox, G. E. & Woese, C. (1975) Nature (London) 256, 505-507] of 5S RNA. Chemical carbethoxylation of the native 5S RNA with diethyl pyrocarbonate shows that a striking feature of this region is an unstacked adenosine residue at position 66. We propose that this residue exists as a singly bulged nucleotide extending the Fox and Woese central helix by two base pairs in the E. coli sequence (to positions 16-23/60-68) as well as in each of 61 (prokaryotic and eukaryotic) aligned 5S RNA sequences. In each case, the single bulged nucleotide is at the relative position of adenosine-66 in the RNA sequences. The presence of this putative bulged nucleotide appears to have been conserved in 5S RNA sequences throughout evolution, and its identity varies with major phylogenetic divisions. This residue is likely involved in specific 5S RNA-protein recognition or interaction in prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes. The uridine-65 to adenosine-66 internucleotide bond is protected from RNase A digestion in the complex, and carbethoxylation of E. coli adenosine-66 prior to L18 binding affects formation of a stable RNA-protein complex. Thus, we identify a region of E. coli 5S RNA protected by the ribosomal protein L18 and propose that it contains a bulged nucleotide residue important in stable formation of this RNA-protein complex. This bulged residue appears to be evolutionarily conserved and phylogenetically defined in 5S RNA sequences in general, and consideration of other known RNA-protein binding sites shows that such a "bulged helix" may be a common feature of RNA-protein contact sites.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1980

Secondary structure model for bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA: phylogenetic, enzymatic and chemical evidence.

We have derived a secondary structure model for 16S ribosomal RNA on the basis of comparative sequence analysis, chemical modification studies and nuclease susceptibility data. Nucleotide sequences of the E. coli and B. brevis 16S rRNA chains, and of RNAse T1 oligomer catalogs from 16S rRNAs of over 100 species of eubacteria were used for phylogenetic comparison. Chemical modification of G by glyoxal, A by m-chloroperbenzoic acid and C by bisulfite in naked 16S rRNA, and G by kethoxal in active and inactive 30S ribosomal subunits was taken as an indication of single stranded structure. Further support for the structure was obtained from susceptibility to RNases A and T1. These three approaches are in excellent agreement. The structure contains fifty helical elements organized into four major domains, in which 46 percent of the nucleotides of 16S rRNA are involved in base pairing. Phylogenetic comparison shows that highly conserved sequences are found principally in unpaired regions of the molecule. No knots are created by the structure.

Bacillus↗
PubMed1980

Complete nucleotide sequence of a 23S ribosomal RNA gene from Escherichia coli.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the 23S RNA gene from the rrnB operon of Escherichia coli has been determined. The sequences of both strands of the entire gene were determined, most of the sequence was independently confirmed by use of alternate restriction fragments, and all restriction cuts overlapped. The DNA region corresponding to mature 23S rRNA contains 2904 nucleotides. Kethoxal-reactive sites protected by 30S subunits are found between positions 2300 and 28000, placing the subunit interface in this region of the molecule. The functional importance of this region is further supported by studies by other investigators, including homology with chloroplast and mitochondrial rRNA.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1979

The structure of the RNA binding site of ribosomal proteins S8 and S15.

Proteins S8 and S15 from the 30 S ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli were bound to 16 S RNA and digested with ribonuclease A. A ribonucleoprotein complex was isolated which contained the two proteins and three noncontiguous RNA subfragments totaling 93 nucleotides, that could be unambiguously located in the 16 S RNA sequence. We present a secondary structural model for the RNA moiety of the binding site complex, in which the two smaller fragments are extensively base-paired, respectively, to the two halves of the large fragment, to form two disconnected duplexes. Each of the two duplexes is interrupted by a small internal loop. This model is supported by (i) minimum energy considerations, (ii) sites of cleavage by ribonuclease A, and (iii) modification by the single strand-specific reagent kethoxal. The effect of protein binding on the topography of the complex is reflected in the kethoxal reactivity of the RNA moiety. In the absence of the proteins, 5 guanines are modified; 4 of these, at positions 663, 732, 733, and 741, are strongly protected from kethoxal when protein S15 is bound.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1979

Isolation and restriction mapping of plasmids containing ribosomal DNA sequences from the rrn B cistron of E. coli.

Recombinant plasmids containing the entire 16S RNA gene from the rrn B cistron of E. coli inserted in Col E1 and pBR322 plasmid vectors have been constructed. These plasmids have been mapped using several restriction endonucleases as well as by DNA-RNA hybridization. These maps reveal previously undetected restriction sites in the rrn B cistron and in Col E1 plasmid DNA.

DNA Restriction Enzymes↗
PubMed1978

Altered topography of 16S RNA in the inactive form of Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunits.

We have studied the topography of 16S RNA in the inactive form of the 30S ribosomal subunit (Ginsburg, I., et al. (1973) J. Mol. Biol. 79, 481), using the guanine-specific reagent kethoxal. Oligonucleotides surrounding reactive guanine residues were isolated and quantitated by means of diagonal electrophoresis and sequenced. Comparison of these results with experiments on active or reactivated subunits reveals the following: (1) Most of the sites which are reactive in active 30S subunits are much more reactive (average 13-fold) in inactive subunits. Upon reactivation, these sites return to a less reactive state. Thus, a reversible increase in accessibility of specific 16S RNA sites parallels the reversible loss of protein synthesis activity of 30S subunits. (2) The number of kethoxal-reactive sites in inactive subunits is about twice that of active subunits. The nucleotide sequences and locations of the additional accessible sites in inactive subunits have been determined. (3) Sites that can be located in the 16S RNA sequence are distributed throughout the RNA chain in inactive subunits, in contrast to the clustering observed in active subunits. (4) The sites of kethoxal substitution are single stranded. Yet, of the 30 sites that can be located, 23 were predicted to be base paired in the proposed secondary structure model for 16S RNA (Ehresmann, C., et al. (1975), Nucleic Acids Res. 2, 265).

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1978

Nucleotide sequences of accessible regions of 23S RNA in 50S ribosomal subunits.

Nucleotide sequences around kethoxal-reactive guanine residues of 23S RNA in 50S ribosomal subunits have been determined. By use of the diagonal paper electrophoresis method )Noller, H.F. (1974), Biochemistry 13, 4694-4703), 41 ribonuclease T1 oligonucleotides, originating from about 25 sites, were identified and sequenced. These sites are single stranded and accessible in free 50S subunits, and are thus potential sites for interaction with functional ligands during protein synthesis. Examination of these sequences for potential intermolecular base-pairing reveals the following: (1) There are 19 possible complementary combinations between exposed sequences in 16S and 23S RNA containing more than 4 base pairs: 15 containing 5 base pairs and 4 containing 6 base pairs. Nine of these complementary combinations contain 16S RNA sequences which we have previously shown to be protected from kethoxall by 50S subunits (Chapman, N.M., and Noller, H.F. (1977), J. Mol. Biol. 109, 131-149). (2) One of the exposed sites in 23S RNA has a sequence which is complementary to the invariant GT psi CR sequence in tRNA.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed1978

Complete nucleotide sequence of a 16S ribosomal RNA gene from Escherichia coli.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the 16S RNA gene from the rrnB cistron of Escherichia coli has been determined by using three rapid DNA sequencing methods. Nearly all of the structure has been confirmed by two to six independent sequence determinations on both DNA strands. The length of the 16S rRNA chain inferred from the DNA sequence is 1541 nucleotides, in close agreement with previous estimates. We note discrepancies between this sequence and the most recent version of it reported from direct RNA sequencing [Ehresmann, C., Stiegler, P., Carbon, P. & Ebel, J.P. (1977) FEBS Lett. 84, 337-341]. A few of these may be explained by heterogeneity among 16S rRNA sequences from different cistrons. No nucleotide sequences were found in the 16S rRNA gene that cannot be reconciled with RNase digestion products of mature 16S rRNA.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1977

Alteration of 5S RNA conformation by ribosomal proteins L18 and L25.

The effects of ribosomal proteins L18, L25 and L5 on the conformation of 5S RNA have been studied by circular dichroism and temperature dependent ultraviolet absorbance. The circular dichroism spectrum of native 5S RNA is characterized in the near ultraviolet by a large positive band at 267 nm and a small negative band at 298 nm. The greatest perturbation in the spectrum was produced by protein L18 which induced a 20% increase in the 267 nm band and no change in the 298 nm band. By contrast, protein L25 caused a small decrease in both bands. No effect was observed with protein L5. Simultaneous binding of proteins L18 and L25 resulted in CD changes equivalent to the sum of their independent effects. The UV absorbance thermal denaturation profile of the 5S RNA L18 complex lacked the pre-melting behavior characteristic of 5S RNA. Protein L25 had no effect on the 5S RNA melting profile. We concluded that protein L18 increases the secondary, and possible the tertiary structure of 5S RNA, and exerts a minor stabilizing effect on its conformation while protein L25 causes a small decrease in 5S RNA secondary structure. The implications of these findings for ribosome assembly and function are discussed.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1976

Alteration of polynucleotide secondary structure by ribosomal protein S1.

Ribosomal 30S protein S1 causes disruption of the secondary structure of certain pyrimidine-containing polynucleotides. Helical poly(U), poly(C, U), and neutral and acidic poly(C) are stoichiometrically converted by S1 to structures indistinguishable from their partially or completely thermally denatured forms, as revealed by circular dichroism. Of the several double- and triple-stranded helical polynucleotides tested that contain one polypurine strand and at least one polypyrimidine strand, only the conformation of the DNA.RNA hybrid, poly(A)-poly(dT), is perturbed. In the presence of S1, this hybrid undergoes a transition to a new structure that has a circular dichroism spectrum unlike either the native or thermally denatured forms. Intercalated ethidium bromide is released from poly(A)-poly(dT) by S1, confirming the occurrence of a conformational rearrangement. The translation inhibitor, autintricarboxylic acid, completely inhibits the action of S1 on polypyrimidines, but has no effect on the conformational perturbation of poly(A(-poly(dT). The possible relation between these observations and the biological function of protein S1 is discussed.

Circular Dichroism↗