Transcription mapping of the Ori L region reveals novel precursors of mature RNA species and antisense RNAs in rat mitochondrial genome

• Published in: FEBS letters Vol. 296; no. 3; pp. 311 - 316
• Main Authors: Sbisà, E., Tullo, A., Nardelli, M., Tanzariello, F., Saccone, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 27-01-1992; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Antisense RNA; Biological and medical sciences; Cloning, Molecular; conserved sequence block; CSB; cytochrome oxidase; D-loop; displacement loop; DNA Replication; DNA, Mitochondrial - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; heavy; light; Male; Mitochondria, Liver - metabolism; mitochondrial; Mitochondrial DNA; Molecular and cellular biology; Molecular genetics; NADH dehydrogenase; Ori region; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; region containing the origin of replication; Regulation; Replication; Restriction Mapping; Ribonucleases - metabolism; RNA - metabolism; RNA Precursors - metabolism; RNA, Antisense - metabolism; RNA, Mitochondrial; Transcript processing; Transcription, Genetic; Transcription. Transcription factor. Splicing. Rna processing; Ori region; mt; H; Antisense RNA; Mitochondrial DNA; Transcript processing; L; CO; CSB; ND; Replication; Regulation; D-loop; Origin; Molecular processing; Rat; Transcription; Rodentia; Precursor; Vertebrata; Mitochondria; Regulation(control); Mammalia; t-RNA
• ISSN: 0014-5793; 1873-3468
• DOI: 10.1016/0014-5793(92)80311-4

We have identified new transcripts in the region surrounding the L-strand replication origin (Ori L) of rat liver mitochondrial DNA. In particular, we have detected previously unidentified intermediates of RNA processing on both the heavy and the light strands, such as precursors of the ND2 mRNA plus the Trp-tRNA and precursors of the tRNAs clustered in the Ori L region. This indicates that the mechanism of RNA processing in mitochondria proceeds step-wise producing a variety of precursors of the mature forms. The other striking finding is the detection of antisense RNA species in the region of L-strand replication. Since a variety of antisense transcripts were also found in the D-loop region of rat mitochondrial DNA, we suggest that they might play a regulatory role in the replication and expression of the mitochondrial genome.