Synthesis of mixed ribo/deoxyribopolynucleotides by mutant T7 RNA polymerase

FEBS Lett. 1998 Nov 20;439(3):302-6. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(98)01393-3.

Abstract

Synthesis of deoxynucleotide-containing RNA-like single-stranded polynucleotides (dcRNAs) using the Y639F, S641A mutant of T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) was studied. A number of different T7 promoter-containing plasmids were tested as templates for dcRNA synthesis. The dcRNA synthesis efficiency strongly depended on the sequence of the first 8-10 nucleotides immediately downstream of the promoter and increased with the distance of the first incorporated dNMP from the transcription start. The incorporation of dGMP which is obligatory for most T7 promoters in positions +1-+2(3) was practically negligible. Using the constructed plasmid pTZR7G containing seven dG links in the non-coding chain immediately downstream of the promoter, the synthesis of all possible dcRNAs (except dG-containing) was achieved with high yields.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriophage T7
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / genetics
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / metabolism*
  • Deoxyribonucleotides / biosynthesis*
  • Mutation
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Ribonucleotides / biosynthesis*
  • Templates, Genetic
  • Viral Proteins

Substances

  • Deoxyribonucleotides
  • Ribonucleotides
  • Viral Proteins
  • bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases