The precursor and mature 16S ribosomal RNAs from a novel thermosensitive ribosomal assembly defective mutant of E. coli, in which genetic evidence suggests that the ribosomal protein S4 is altered, have been isolated and characterised by finger-printing methods. The precursor 16S RNA, which is accumulated at 42 degrees , appears to be identical with that present in wild-type strains, and with that previously described by other workers. However, the mature 16S RNA, which is contained in apparently normal functional 30S ribosomal particles synthesised at the growth-permissive temperature of 30 degrees , is incompletely trimmed and has either one or two additional nucleotides at its 5'-terminus. This might be due either to an accumulation of two late intermediates in the maturation process, or to mis-trimming of the RNA. Both possibilities suggest that the change in the protein S4 is not only responsible for the thermosensitive character of ribosomal assembly in this mutant, but also causes an alteration in the trimming site, affecting its recognition by the enzyme involved in the maturation.