Heterogeneities in vertebrate tRNAs(Trp) avian retroviruses package only as a primer the tRNA(Trp) lacking modified m2G in position 7.

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Bovine, rabbit and chicken tRNA(Trp) species and tRNA(Trp) packaged in avian myeloblastosis virus were separated and purified using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and their primary structures were determined. Two major tRNA(Trp) species (1 and 2) were identified in beef and rabbit, two minor ones (3 and 4) in beef and only one minor in rabbit. Their structures differ by 4 nucleotide substitutions located in the D, S and T loops (positions 16, 47, 57 and 59). Species 3 and 4 differ from one another by only one nucleotide at position 2. Differences between tRNA(Trp) species were also observed in the extent of methylation of some nucleotides. Chicken tRNA(Trp) presents only one species similar to the mammalian type 1 tRNA(Trp). In the case of the three studies animals this tRNA could be separated into two subspecies, which differ by a post-transcriptional modification of nucleotide 7 in the acceptor stem: G or m2G. However only the nonmethylated species is used as the primer of DNA-RNA directed retrotranscription since it is only that form which was found in avian retroviruses. The methylation of G to m2G at position 7 could thus prevent the recognition of tRNA(Trp) by retroviral protein(s) responsible for the selective packaging of the primer tRNA(Trp).

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