Abstract
The intervening sequence (IVS) of the Tetrahymena ribosomal RNA precursor is excised as a linear RNA molecule which subsequently cyclizes itself in a protein-independent reaction. Cyclization involves cleavage of the linear IVS RNA 15 nucleotides from its 5′ end and formation of a phosphodiester bond between the new 5′ phosphate and the original 3′-hydroxyl terminus of the IVS. This recombination mechanism is analogous to that by which splicing of the precursor RNA is achieved. The circular molecules appear to have no direct function in RNA splicing, and we propose the cyclization serves to prevent unwanted RNA from driving the splicing reactions backwards.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abelson, J. A. Rev. Biochem. 48, 1035–1069 (1979).
Breathnach, R. & Chambon, P. A. Rev. Biochem. 50, 349–383 (1981).
Cech, T. R., Zaug, A. J., Grabowski, P. J. & Brehm, S. L. The Cell Nucleus Vol. 10 (eds Busch, H. & Rothblum, L.) 171–204 (Academic, New York, 1982).
Peebles, C. L., Ogden, R. C., Knapp, G. & Abelson, J. Cell 18, 27–35 (1979).
Cech, T. R., Zaug, A. J. & Grabowski, P. J. Cell 27, 487–496 (1981).
Kruger, K. et al. Cell 31, 147–157 (1982).
Zaug, A. J. & Cech, T. R. Cell 19, 331–338 (1980).
Carin, M. et al. Nucleic Acids Res. 8, 5551–5566 (1980).
Zaug, A. J. & Cech, T. R. Nucleic Acids Res. 10, 2823–2838 (1982).
Grabowski, P. J., Zaug, A. J. & Cech, T. R. Cell 23, 467–476 (1981).
Brehm, S. L. & Cech, T. R. Biochemistry (in the press).
Donis-Keller, H., Maxam, A. M. & Gilbert, W. Nucleic Acids Res. 4, 2527–2538 (1977).
Simoncsits, A., Brownlee, G. G., Brown, R. S., Rubin, J. R., & Guilley, H. Nature 269, 833–836 (1977).
Kan, N. C. & Gall, J. G. Nucleic Acids Res. 10, 2809–2822 (1982).
Silber, R., Malathi, V. G. & Hurwitz, H. J. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 69, 3009–3013 (1972).
Bruce, A. G. & Uhlenbeck, O. C. Nucleic Acids Res. 5, 3665–3677 (1978).
Higgins, N. P. & Cozzarelli, N. R. Meth. Enzym. 68, 50–71 (1979).
Uhlenbeck, O. C. & Gumport, R. I. Enzymes 15, 31–58 (1982).
Konarska, M., Filipowicz, W., Domdey, H. & Gross, H. L. Nature 293, 112–116 (1981).
Konarska, M., Filipowicz, W. & Gross, H. J. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 79, 1474–1478 (1982).
Gellert, M. A. Rev. Biochem. 50, 879–910 (1981).
Eisenberg, S., Scott, J. F. & Kornberg, A. Cold Spring Harb. Symp. quant. Biol. 43, 295–302 (1978).
Sumida-Yasumoto, C. et al. Cold Spring Harb. Symp. quant. Biol. 43, 311–329 (1978).
van der Ende, A., Langeveld, S. A., Teertstra, R., van Arkel, G. A. & Weisbeek, P. J. Nucleic Acids Res. 9, 2037–2053 (1981).
Tinoco, I. Jr et al. Nature new Biol. 246, 40–41 (1973).
Wild, M. A. & Sommer, R. Nature 283, 693–694 (1980).
Fox, G. & Woese, C. R. Nature 256, 505–507 (1975).
Noller, H. F. & Woese, C. R. Science 212, 403–410 (1981).
Wild, M. A. & Gall, J. G. Cell 16, 565–573 (1979).
Din, N. & Engberg, J. J. molec. Biol. 134, 555–574 (1979).
Wild, M. A. thesis, Yale Univ. (1980).
Halbreich, A., Pajot, P., Foucher, M., Grandchamp, C. & Slonimski, P. Cell 19, 321–329 (1980).
Arnberg, A. C., VanOmmen, G.-J. B., Grivell, L. A., VanBruggen, E. F. J. & Borst, P. Cell 19, 313–319 (1980).
Knapp, G., Ogden, R. C., Peebles, C. L. & Abelson, J. Cell 18, 37–45 (1979).
Gross, H. J. et al. Nature 273, 203–208 (1978).
Branch, A. D. et al. Science 217, 1147–1149 (1982).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zaug, A., Grabowski, P. & Cech, T. Autocatalytic cyclization of an excised intervening sequence RNA is a cleavage–ligation reaction. Nature 301, 578–583 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/301578a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/301578a0
This article is cited by
-
Best practice standards for circular RNA research
Nature Methods (2022)
-
Molecular roles and function of circular RNAs in eukaryotic cells
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences (2018)
-
Molecular characterization of a new member of the lariat capping twin-ribozyme introns
Mobile DNA (2014)
-
Nuclear group I introns in self-splicing and beyond
Mobile DNA (2013)
-
A natural ribozyme with 3′,5′ RNA ligase activity
Nature Chemical Biology (2009)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
