The structure of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) in Schizosaccharomyces pombe was re-evaluated with respect to phylogenetically conserved features in yeasts, features in other transcribed spacer regions as well as the binding of transacting factors which potentially play a role in ribosomal maturation. Computer analyses and probes for nuclease protection indicate a very simple core structure consisting of a single extended hairpin which includes the interacting termini of the mature 5.8S and 25S rRNAs. Comparisons with ITS2 sequences in greatly diverging organisms indicate that the same feature also can be recognized. This is especially clear in organisms that contain very short sequences in which the putative structures are much less ambiguous. Diversity between organisms is the result of changes in hairpin length as well as the addition of branched helices. Protein binding and gel retardation studies with the S.pombe ITS2 further indicate that, as observed in the 3" external transcribed spacer (ETS) and ITS1 regions, the extended hairpin is not only the site of intermediate RNA cleavage during rRNA processing but also a site for specific interactions with one or more soluble factors. Taken together with other analyses on transcribed spacer regions, the present data suggest that the spacer regions all may act in a similar fashion, not only to organize the maturing terminal sequences, but also serve to organize specific soluble factors possibly acting with snoRNAs or in a manner which is analogous with that of the free snoRNPs.
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