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Mouse ribonuclease III. cDNA structure, expression analysis, and chromosomal location
Kristine R Fortin1, Rhonda H Nicholson, Allen W Nicholson
1Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University 5047 Gullen Mall, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. krfortin@hotmail.com
BMC Genomics
|August 23, 2002
Summary
Mouse RNase III, a double-stranded RNA-specific endonuclease, is broadly expressed across tissues, suggesting a conserved cellular role. Its structure and chromosomal location are distinct from Dicer, another RNA-processing enzyme.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Ribonuclease III enzymes are crucial for RNA processing and decay in various organisms.
- A human RNase III orthologue is involved in ribosomal RNA maturation.
- Understanding mammalian RNase III function requires detailed characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the cDNA structure of mouse RNase III.
- To identify the chromosomal location of the mouse RNase III gene.
- To analyze the expression patterns of mouse RNase III.
Main Methods:
- cDNA sequencing
- Northern blot analysis
- Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
- Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH)
Main Results:
- Mouse RNase III polypeptide has 1373 amino acids with dsRNA-binding motif and catalytic domains.
- The transcript is expressed in all examined tissues, with a shorter form in testes.
- Mouse RNase III gene maps to chromosome 15B; human orthologue maps to 5p13-p14.
Conclusions:
- Broad expression suggests conserved cellular functions for mouse RNase III.
- Mouse RNase III shares high similarity with human RNase III but differs from Dicer.
- The mouse RNase III gene is located separately from the Dicer gene on the chromosome.