Journal of Dental Research, Vol 70, 961-965, Copyright © 1991 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Atypical structure of the 23S ribosomal RNA molecule in certain oral bacteria
G. J. Sunday, M. J. Gillespie, S. T. Motley and J. J. Zambon
Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York, Buffalo 14214.
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) isolated from Wolinella recta and seven related
bacteria was examined by agarose gel electrophoresis. The 23S rRNA molecule
could not be detected in W. recta, Wolinella curva, Bacteroides gracilis,
or Bacteroides ureolyticus. In place of the 23S molecule, there were three
smaller molecules of approximately 1700, 650, and 600 bases designated 23S
alpha, 23S beta, and 23S delta, respectively. An intact 23S rRNA molecule
could be isolated from Wolinella succinogenes, Campylobacter concisus, and
Campylobacter sputorum. The cleavage sites of the W. recta 23S rRNA
molecule were located by direct RNA sequence analysis and were found to be
in similar locations, nucleotides 546 and 1180, as cleavage sites described
in other prokaryotes. The presence or absence of the 23S rRNA molecule may
be a useful marker for these micro-organisms.
