EXPRESSION OF MOUSE RNASE MRP RNA IN HUMAN EMBRYONIC KIDNEY-293 CELLS

We report on the expression of mouse RNase MRP RNA in human embryonic kidney 293 cells upon DNA transfection. Stable cell lines were selecte d by cotransfection with a neo(r) gene. Transcription of wild-type and deletion mutants of MRP RNA and ribonucleoprotein formation were asse ssed by RNase protection and immunoprecipitation experiments. Mouse MR P RNA as expressed in 293 cells readily associates with human proteins to form a chimeric Th ribonucleoprotein. 5' truncated MRP RNAs, howev er, failed to associate with Th antigen(s) and deletion of the 3' sequ ences of MRP RNA greatly reduced the expression in stable as well as i n transient transfectants.