IBM microcomputer programs that analyze DNA sequences for tRNA genes

A set of four computer programs that search DNA sequence datafiles for transfer RNA genes have been written in IBM (Microsoft)BASIC for the IBM personal computer. These programs locate andplot predicted secondary structures of tRNA genes in the cloverleafconformation. The set of programs are applicable to eukaryotictRNA genes, including those containing intervening sequences,and to prokaryotic and mitochondrial tRNA genes. In addition,two of the programs search up to 150 residues downstream oftRNA gene sequences for possible eukaryotic RNA polymerase IIItermination sites comprised of at least four consecutive T residues.Molecular biologists studying a variety of gene sequences andflanking regions can use these programs to search for the additionalpresence of tRNA genes. Furthermore, investigators studyingtRNA gene structure-to-function relationships would not needto do extensive restriction mapping to locate tRNA gene sequenceswithin their cloned DNA fragments. Received on October 29, 1985; accepted on January 28, 1986