Abstract
In the present study the synthesis and the processing of cytoplasmic and chloroplast rRNAs of the algaeCyanidium caldarium (Rhodophyceae),Chlorella pyrenoidosa andChlorella vulgaris (Chlorophyceae) are characterized. The results of pulse-labeling of the cells under autotrophic and heterotrophic conditions, of kinetic analyses of labeling and of pulse-chase experiments demonstrate that the mature chloroplast ribosomal RNAs arise from a single large precursor with an apparent molecular weight of 1.8×106 daltons. For detection of this primary transcript inChlorella lowering of the temperature to 15°C during pulse-labeling was mandatory. The findings also show that it is processed to form the mature species via immediate precursors of about 1.2×106 and 0.59×106 daltons. These results are reinforced by those of additional experiments which were performed in the presence of rifampicin or in which colorless mutant cells ofChlorella vulgaris were studied.
Cytoplasmic ribosomal RNAs are apparently cleaved from a single precursor of about 2.8×106 daltons molecular weight inCyanidium, and of 2.4×106 daltons inChlorella. InCyanidium the immediate precursors to the mature species (1.4×106 and 0.69×106 daltons) have molecular weights of about 1.6×106 and 0.76×106 daltons, respectively. InChlorella RNA of 1.4×106 daltons serves as immediate precursor to the large cytoplasmic rRNA species (1.3×106 daltons), and one of 0.8×106 daltons as precursor to the small species (0.68×106 daltons). From the data of labeling kinetics performed with cells ofCyanidium it is evident that the relative positions of the sequences of mature cytoplasmic ribosomal RNAs in the molecule of the primary transcript (2.8×106 daltons) agree very well with those found in other plant organisms so far. — On the basis of these results schemes for the two pathways of ribosomal RNA synthesis in the two algal species are proposed.
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Abbreviations
- chl-rRNA:
-
Chloroplast ribosomal RNA
- cyt-rRNA:
-
Cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA
- SDS:
-
Sodium dodecyl sulfate
- TCA:
-
Trichloroacetic acid
- TPE:
-
Tris-phosphate-EDTA buffer
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Stempka, R., Richter, G. Maturation of chloroplast and cytoplasmic ribosomal RNAs from single large precursors in two algal species,Cyanidium andChlorella . Arch. Microbiol. 119, 187–196 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00964272
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00964272