Abstract
Extracts of wheat germ contain an RNA ligase activity that catalyses the conversion of linear polyribonucleotides into covalently closed circles. The newly formed 3′,5′-phosphodiester bridge is resistant to alkali and a number of ribonucleases. This unusual stability is due to the presence of a phosphoryl group esterified to the 2′-position of the 3′-nucleotide joined. This is the first demonstration of an RNA ligase in higher plants and of a natural 2′-phosphomonoester, 3′,5′-phosphodiester linkage.
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Konarska, M., Filipowicz, W., Domdey, H. et al. Formation of a 2′-phosphomonoester, 3′,5′-phosphodiester linkage by a novel RNA ligase in wheat germ. Nature 293, 112–116 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/293112a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/293112a0
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