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tRNA nucleotidyltransferase is not essential for Escherichia coli viability.

1987; Springer Nature; Volume: 6; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/j.1460-2075.1987.tb02528.x

1460-2075

Liuqin Zhu, Murray P. Deutscher,

Peptidase Inhibition and Analysis

Research Article1 August 1987free access tRNA nucleotidyltransferase is not essential for Escherichia coli viability. L. Zhu L. Zhu Department of Biochemistry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06032. Search for more papers by this author M. P. Deutscher M. P. Deutscher Department of Biochemistry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06032. Search for more papers by this author L. Zhu L. Zhu Department of Biochemistry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06032. Search for more papers by this author M. P. Deutscher M. P. Deutscher Department of Biochemistry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06032. Search for more papers by this author Author Information L. Zhu1 and M. P. Deutscher1 1Department of Biochemistry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06032. The EMBO Journal (1987)6:2473-2477https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1460-2075.1987.tb02528.x PDFDownload PDF of article text and main figures. ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InMendeleyWechatReddit Figures & Info The role of tRNA nucleotidyltransferase in Escherichia coli has been uncertain because all tRNA genes studied in this organism already encode the -C-C-A sequence. Examination of a cca mutant, originally thought to contain 1-2% enzyme activity, indicated that it actually produces an inactive fragment of 40 kd compared to 47 kd for the wild-type enzyme due to a nonsense mutation in its cca gene. To confirm that the residual activity in extracts of this strain is due to another enzyme, and that tRNA nucleotidyltransferase is non-essential, we have interrupted the cca gene in vitro, and transferred this mutant gene to a variety of strains. In all cases mutant strains are viable, although as much as 15% of the tRNA population contains defective 3′ termini, and no tRNA nucleotidyltransferase is detectable. Mutant strains grow slowly, but can be restored to more normal growth by a relA mutation or by a decrease in RNase T activity. In the latter case the amount of defective tRNA decreases dramatically. These findings indicate that tRNA nucleotidyltransferase is not essential for E. coli viability, and therefore, that all essential tRNA genes in this organism encode the -C-C-A sequence. Previous ArticleNext Article Volume 6Issue 81 August 1987In this issue RelatedDetailsLoading ...