Lysine tRNAs from rat liver: lysine tRNA sequences are highly conserved

The two major lysine tRNAs from rat liver, tRNA2Lys and tRNA5Lys, were sequenced by rapid gel or chromatogram readout methods. The major tRNA2Lys differs from a minor form only by a base pair in positions 29 and 41; both tRNAs have an unidentified nucleotide, U**, in the third position of the anticodon. Although highly related, the major tRNA2Lys and tRNA5Lys differ in four base pairs and four unpaired nucleotides, including the first position of the anticodons, but have the same base pair in positions 29 and 41. The three tRNAs maintain a m2G-U pair in the acceptor stem. Detection of this m2G is in contrast to other reports of lysine tRNAs. Sequences of lysine tRNAs are strongly conserved in higher eukaryotes.