The Sequence Distribution of O2′-Methylribose in Yeast Ribosomal RNA

Abstract

(1) There are 16 possible alkali-stable Nm–N sequences in which N is any of the four major ribonucleosides and Nm is the O2′ -methyl derivative of any of the four major ribonucleosides. All of these sequences have been found to be present in both 17 S and 26 S RNA from exponentially dividing yeast cells.(2) The relative amounts of the different Nm–N sequences in 17 S RNA differ from the corresponding proportions found for 26 S RNA.(3) Some of the Nm–N sequences in 17 S RNA are not present in every polynucleotide chain and possible interpretations of this finding are discussed.(4) By comparing the present results of analyses of plant RNA with earlier analyses of animal and bacterial RNA, it is possible to perceive underlying regularities for the patterns of O2′-methylation in animal, plant, and bacterial RNA.