RNA-protein interactions at transcript 3' ends and evidence for trnK-psbA cotranscription in mustard chloroplasts

In vitro transcripts from the 3' flanking regions of mustard chloroplast genes were tested for protein binding in a chloroplast extract. Efficient and sequence-specific RNA-protein interaction was detected with transcripts of the genes trnK, rps16 and trnH, but not with the 3' terminal region of trnQ RNA. The transacting component required for specific complex formation is probably a single 54 kDa polypeptide. The protein-binding region of the rps16 3' terminal region was mapped and compared with that of the trnK transcript determined previously. Both regions reveal a conserved 7-mer UUUAUCU followed by a stretch of U residues. Deletion of the trnK 3' U cluster resulted in more than 80% reduction in the binding activity, and after deletion of both the U stretch and the 7-mer motif no binding at all was detectable. RNase protection experiments indicate that the protein-binding regions of both the rps16 and trnK transcripts correlate with the positions of in vivo 3' ends, suggesting an essential role for the 54 kDa binding protein in RNA 3' end formation. In the case of the trnK gene, evidence was obtained for read-through transcripts that extend into the psbA coding region, thus pointing to the possibility of trnK-psbA cotranscription.