Nucleotide sequence and in vitro processing of a precursor molecule to Escherichia coli 4.5 S RNA.

A precursor molecule to the stable 4.5 S RNA species of Escherichia coli has been found to accumulate at 42 degrees in a strain thermosensitive for the function of ribonuclease P. The precursor molecule is 130 nucleotides long. Twenty-two extra nucleotides, starting with pppGp, precede the mature sequence at its 5' terminus. At least 1 extra uridine residue can be found at the 3' terminus. The precursor to 4.5 S RNA is cleaved in vitro by RNase P to generate a 5' end identical to that of the mature 4.5 S RNA.