Mutations in a semiconserved region of the Tetrahymena intron |
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Authors: | U Pace J W Szostak |
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Institution: | Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114. |
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Abstract: | The A-rich bulge in paired region P5a of the Tetrahymena intron is a structural feature that is conserved in the sub-group Ib self-splicing introns. We have constructed a series of substitution and deletion mutations in this region of the intron. Kinetic analysis has shown that some of the mutants have a reduced maximal extent of splicing, while others have a reduced Vmax. These mutations could be reactivated to a great extent by spermidine and high Mg2+ concentrations. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the A-rich bulge of P5a has a role in stabilizing the higher-level structure of the ribozyme. |
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