Figure 7: Reduction in TbMTase37 levels has no effect on pre-rRNA processing.

(a) Schematic of T. brucei rRNA processing from a polycistronic transcription unit into final mature rRNAs. The names of each mature rRNA in the operon are designated with “srRNA” representing small rRNA. The lengths of predominant intermediates are specified in kilobases. (b) Northern blot analysis for internal transcribed spacers using RNA from wildtype (W), uninduced (−) and induced (+) cells. Formaldehyde agarose gels were loaded with equal A₂₆₀ units and the ethidium bromide stained gel with the three large rRNA species visible (rightmost panel) shows equal RNA loading. Oligonucleotide probes specific for each internal transcribed spacer (ITS) were used to detect possible aberrant processing on full-length membranes. (c) The levels of 6 of the 7 ITS regions were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR after RNAi treatment and plotted as a fold change from wild-type. All analyses were performed in triplicate. Bars represent the average change in replicates and error bars are standard error of mean. Fold change was calculated as described in Materials and Methods.