A single base substitution in 16S ribosomal RNA suppresses streptomycin dependence and increases the frequency of translational errors.

A C to U substitution at position 1469 of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) from Escherichia coli suppresses streptomycin dependence and causes increased translational error frequencies. Strains containing the rpsL252 or StrM287 streptomycin-dependent alleles are able to grow in the absence of streptomycin when transformed with plasmids containing the U1469 mutation in 16S rRNA. Ribosomes containing wild-type proteins and U1469 mutant 16S rRNA misincorporate leucine in vitro at elevated levels, comparable to that of some typical S4 ram ribosomes. These results provide additional support for the participation of 16S rRNA in maintaining translational accuracy.