A ribonucleoprotein precursor of both the 30S and 50S ribosomal sunbunits of Escherichia coli.

A ribonucleoprotein particle (46S) has been isolated from [3H]uridine pulse-labeled cultures of E. Coli AB301/105. Evidence from pulse chase experiments and from protein analysis suggested that this particle may give rise to both the 30S and 50S ribosomal subunits. Direct deproteinization of the particle yielded 30S RNA, while deproteinization after treatment with a crude RNase III preparation yielded products similar to 23S and 16S RNA. This result is consistent with the idea that the 46S ribonucleoprotein is the in vivo counterpart of 30S RNA, which is the in vitro product obtained after phenol extraction.