Watson N, Gurevitz M, Ford J, Apirion D
J Mol Biol. 1984 Jan 25;172(3):301-23. doi: 10.1016/s0022-2836(84)80028-5.
We found that a precursor of an RNA molecule from T4-infected Escherichia coli cells (p2Spl; precursor of species 1) has the capacity to cleave itself in a specific position. This cleavage is similar to a cleavage carried out by the aid of a protein, RNase F, that has been previously identified. This cleavage could lead to the maturation of an RNA (species 1) found in T4-infected E. coli cells. The reaction is time and temperature-dependent and is relatively slow as compared to the protein-dependent reaction. It requires at least a monovalent cation and is aided by non-ionic detergents. In the absence of detergent the cleavage can occur but at a reduced rate. The substrate does not contain hidden nicks and a variety of experiments suggest that it does not contain a protein. Moreover, we found no indication that the cleavage is due to contaminating nucleases in the substrate or in the reagents. The intact secondary and tertiary structures of the molecule are necessary for the cleavage to occur. The finding of a self cleaving RNA molecule has interesting evolutionary implications.
我们发现，来自T4感染的大肠杆菌细胞的一种RNA分子前体（p2Spl；物种1的前体）能够在特定位置自我切割。这种切割类似于先前已鉴定的一种借助蛋白质RNase F进行的切割。这种切割可能导致在T4感染的大肠杆菌细胞中发现的一种RNA（物种1）成熟。该反应具有时间和温度依赖性，与依赖蛋白质的反应相比相对较慢。它至少需要一价阳离子，并且非离子去污剂对其有辅助作用。在没有去污剂的情况下，切割也能发生，但速率会降低。底物不包含隐藏的切口，并且各种实验表明它不含有蛋白质。此外，我们没有发现任何迹象表明这种切割是由于底物或试剂中污染的核酸酶所致。分子完整的二级和三级结构对于切割的发生是必需的。自我切割RNA分子的发现具有有趣的进化意义。
