Genetic perturbations that reveal tertiary conformation of tRNA precursor molecules.

The ubiquity of tRNA-like conformations in tRNA precursors of prokaryotes provides a common structural basis for precursor recognition by the maturation enzymes. This design eliminates need for multiple enzymes to achieve the maturation of different precursors. Moreover, the requirement of this specific conformation for maturation guards against the production of potentially deleterious mutant tRNAs.