ISSN 1017-2548(Print)
ISSN 2234-8530(Online)
Volume 39, Number 6
JKCSEZ 39(6)
December 20, 1995 

We have applied Pb2+ to the structural analysis of 5S rRNA from Pseudomonas alcaligenes. The mode of Pb2+-induced clevage on 5S rRNA has shown several specific features which may be utilized for the examination of tertiary structure of 5S rRNA: Pb2+ does not attack the stable helical stems; single stranded regions or bulges are attacked in variable susceptibilities depending on the positions of the sequences or the bases on the molecule; unstable helical region d is not attacked at all; only 3' sided strand of unstable helical stem C is weakly attacked, leaving 5' sided strand unattacked. Based on the Pb2+ cleavage properties and the structural analysis of Xanthomonas celebensis 5S rRNA, we have proposed a working hypothesis for the tertiary interactions in 5S rRNA.