RIP-JIP60 alters conformation of ribosomes in vivo

Recently it has been demonstrated that expression putative ribosome-inactiv ating protein JIP 60 in transgenic tobacco plants leads to the depurination of large rRNA and inactivation of plant ribosomes. Treatment of ribosomes from transgenic tobacco plants with low concentration of alpha-sarcin resul ted in the appearance of an rRNA specific fragment. No fragment was observe d under the same conditions for ribosomes from wild type plants. The altera tion of the comformation of ribosomes in transgenic tobacco due to the expr ession of JIP60 is assumed. (C) 1999 Academic Press.