Analysis of transcription and processing signals of the 16S-23S rRNA operon of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

Abstract

The 16S and 23S rRNA genes of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae are closely spaced in one operon. The two genes are separated by a spacer region of 500 bp which shows no sequence homology to bacterial tRNA genes. Within this operon seven 5' and five 3' ends of various rRNA species were mapped and the corresponding DNA was sequenced. The results are consistent with the following model for synthesis of rRNAs: Transcription of the operon is initiated from either of two tandemly arranged promoters leading to a large precursor RNA consisting of both 16S and 23S rRNAs. This primary transcript is first cleaved within stem structures surrounding the two rRNAs to yield premature 16S and 23S rRNAs. By further processing events the mature 5' and 3' ends are generated. The promoter sequences of this operon differ from those of other eubacterial promoters in lacking the typical -35 region. The putative termination site at the 3' end of the operon is reminiscent of rho-independent terminators in Escherichia coli.