Mammalian Ribosomal Precursor RNA

Robertson, James Searl (1974) Mammalian Ribosomal Precursor RNA. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Both 18s and 28s ribosomal RNA in HeLa cells are transcribed in the nucleolus within a single large precursor RNA molecule (45S RNA) which is believed to contain, in addition to the ribosomal sequences, extensive non-ribosomal regions termed "transcribed spacers". Substantial segments of the transcribed spacer region are retained in the various nucleolar intermediates in maturation (41S, 32S and 20S RNA). Presented in this thesis are the results obtained from a direct analysis of transcribed spacer using RNA fingerprinting techniques with 32P-labelled RNA. 1. By comparing fingerprints of 28s RNA with its immediate precursor 32S RNA, I identified and characterised some 13 oligonucleotides which are present in 32S RNA only and which thus must be derived from the transcribed spacer region of 32S RNA. 2. Fingerprints of 45S RNA were compared with those of a mixture of 28s + 18s RNA and 9 distinctive transcribed spacer oligonucleotides were identified in addition to those from the 32S molecule. 3. By identifying specific 5-8S oligonucleotides in fingerprints of 32S and 45S RNA I was able to show that 5-8S RNA is transcribed as part of the 45S ribosomal precursor RNA molecule. 4. The primary sequence of transcribed spacer from HeLa ribosomal precursor RNA and L cell ribosomal precursor RNA was compared and found to be less highly conserved than the ribosomal sequences. All the above mentioned oligonucleotides are of potential value for further structural analysis and for determining the spacial arrangement of transcribed spacer and ribosomal sequences in 45S ribosomal precursor RNA.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Biochemistry
• Date of Award: 1974
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1974-78680
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 30 Jan 2020 15:03
• Last Modified: 30 Jan 2020 15:03
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/78680