Interaction of a Transcription Factor IIIA Peptide Containing Two Zinc Fingers with 5S rRNA

The interaction of lupin ribosomal 5S RNA with a chemically synthesized peptide containing 60 amino acid, derived fromXenopus laevis transcription factor IIIA, is analyzed. The results show that such short fragment retains the ability of binding to 5S rRNA molecule, as shown by electrophoretic gel shift and RNase footprint assay. The peptide protects from hydrolysis with specific nucleases helix II and V of 5S rRNA.