Within plants, chloroplasts are light-harvesting organelles that retain their own limited genomes. Part of this genome encodes chloroplast ribosomal RNA (rRNA) that is used to translate chloroplast-specific genes. Interestingly, the large subunit (23S) of the chloroplast rRNA harbors hidden breaks. These covalent breaks in the backbone of the RNA are thought to be caused by endonucleases during or after assembly of the ribosome such that the ribosome structure remains intact. It has been proposed that hidden breaks are necessary for efficient translation in the chloroplast, but to-date they have been identified in rRNAs of only a select few organisms. By analyzing control Structure-seq2 data, we were able to identify the presence of these hidden breaks in rice chloroplast rRNA. We have also found evidence that the extent the break occurs may be affected by acute heat stress conditions. Preliminary results in stress-treated rice, coffee, and spinach using reverse transcription and PCR spanning the hidden break will be presented.

Hidden breaks in rice chloroplast rRNA revealed by Structure-seq2

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.