The E. coli dnaY gene encodes an arginine transfer RNA.

The E. coli dnaY gene product is an arginine tRNA. Its 77 nucleotide sequence can be folded into a typical cloverleaf structure with a UCU anticodon corresponding to the rare arginine codon AGA. A dnaY+ plasmid confers overproduction of at least one arginine-accepting minor species of tRNAArg. The dnaY promoter was identified by run-off transcription studies, and the initiating nucleotide was identified by sequencing the 5' end of the in vitro transcript. The primary products in vitro are RNAs of 180 and 190 nucleotides, which presumably are processed in vivo to generate the mature form. Transcription is terminated in vitro, and presumably in vivo, by a rho-dependent process.