A NOVEL SMALL STABLE RNA, 6SA RNA, FROM THE CYANOBACTERIUM SYNECHOCOCCUS SP. STRAIN PCC6301

We isolated a novel RNA species from the unicellular cyanobacterium Sy nechococcus PCC6301 and determined its gene sequence, This novel RNA w as termed 6Sa RNA from its length (185 nt), Cross-hybridization of 6Sa RNA to other related microorganisms suggests that its existence is re stricted to the Synechococcus genus or related organisms, A high le, e l of accumulation of this RNA was observed by Northern analysis, indic ating that 6Sa RNA is stable in cells, Computer-aided prediction of th e 6Sa RNA secondary structure also supports its stability. (C) 1997 Fe deration of European Biochemical Societies.