A pseudogene for human U4 RNA with a remarkable structure

The human DNA library of Lawn et al. (1978) was screened for sequences complementary to the small nuclear (sn) RNA U4. Several positive clones were identified by screening 100 000 recombinants, indicating that U4 sequences like other snRNA sequences are dispersed in the human genome. One recombinant...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The EMBO journal 1982-01, Vol.1 (6), p.737-739
Main Authors: Hammarström, K., Westin, G., Pettersson, U.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Base Composition
Base Sequence
Cloning, Molecular
DNA, Recombinant - metabolism
Female
Fetus
Genes
Humans
Liver
Nucleic Acid Hybridization
Pregnancy
RNA - genetics
RNA, Small Nuclear
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Summary:The human DNA library of Lawn et al. (1978) was screened for sequences complementary to the small nuclear (sn) RNA U4. Several positive clones were identified by screening 100 000 recombinants, indicating that U4 sequences like other snRNA sequences are dispersed in the human genome. One recombinant was characterized in detail by subcloning a Bg/II fragment 1.9 kilobases (kb) long in the pBR322 plasmid. The subcloned fragment was partially sequenced and the results revealed a pseudogene for U4 RNA. The pseudogene was found to have a remarkable structure; it contains a sequence that, except in two positions, matches the first 68 nucleotides of the human U4 RNA sequence and the pseudogene is, moreover, flanked by perfect direct repeats 20 bp long. The results support the model of van Arsdell et al. (1981) suggesting that certain snRNA pseudogenes arise by reverse transcription of the RNA followed by integration of the cDNA copy at a new chromosomal locus.
ISSN:0261-4189
1460-2075
DOI:10.1002/j.1460-2075.1982.tb01239.x