The rne gene is the structural gene for the processing endoribonuclease RNase E of Escherichia coli

Abstract

Using T7 RNA polymerase and specific constructs derived from 5S rRNA and RNA I genes, we generated substrates for the RNA processing enzyme RNase E. Using these substrates we have shown that a 3.2 kb DNA fragment that complements the rne-3071 mutation can express RNase E activity. We also found that T7 RNA polymerase terminates within the 5S rRNA gene.