tRNA nucleotidyltransferase-catalyzed incorporation of CMP and AMP into RNA-bacteriophage genome fragments.

Fragments of bacteriophage RNAs R17, MS2 and Qbeta obtained by incubation with commercial snake venom phosphodiesterase become substrates of the Escherichia coli tRNA nucleotidyltransferase. The transferase adds back CMP and AMP in conditions in which it remains highly specific of CCA-deprived tRNAs. The results suggest that the fragment from the 3' end of the viral genome and/or possibly one or more internal fragment(s) are recognized by the transferase. These observations might indicate that bacteriophage RNAs contain certain features probably present in all tRNAs and which are recognized by the transferase.