What does the homology between E. coli tRNAs and RNAs controlling ColE1 plasmid replication mean?

Abstract

Nucleotide sequences of E. coli tRNAs and RNA I or RNA II (controlling replication of ColE1 plasmids) were compared using the computer. The homology between some of these molecules is over 60%. The distribution of homologous nucleotides among the functional elements (stems and loops) of either RNA I or RNA II and the tRNAs molecules was studied. It was found that the homologous domains are located mainly in the loop regions of RNA I or RNA II. A consensus sequence, the nonanucleotide AGUUGGUAG, was discovered in loop II of RNA I and in the dihydrouridylic loop of tRNAs showing homology with RNA I. Based on this observation, a hypothesis was drawn for a possible role of the tRNAs in the regulation of plasmid DNA replication.