Secondary structure of prokaryotic 5S ribosomal ribonucleic acids: a study with ribonucleases.

The structures of 5S ribosomal RNAs from Escherichia coli and Bacillus stearothermophilus were examined by using ribonucleases A, T1, and T2 and a double helix specific cobra venom ribonuclease. By using both 5' and 3'-32P-end labeling methods and selecting for digested but intact 5S RNA molecules, we were able to distinguish between primary and secondary cutting positions and also to establish the relative degree of cutting. The data reveal the predicted similarities of the higher order structure in the two RNAs but also demonstrate a few significant differences. The data also provide direct evidence for three of the helical regions of the Fox and Woese model of 5S RNA [Fox, G. E., & Woese, C. (1975) Nature (London) 256, 505] and support other important structural features which include a nucleotide looped out from a helical region which has been proposed as a recognition site for protein L18.