The nucleotide sequence of the intergenic region between the 5.8S and 26S rRNA genes of the yeast ribosomal RNA operon. Possible implications for the interaction between 5.8S and 26S rRNA and the processing of the primary transcript

The 5.8S RNA gene sequence and the ribosomal repeat of Schizosaccharomyces pombe

We have characterized the rRNA gene repeat in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This repeat, which does not contain the 5S RNA gene, is found in a 10.4 kb HindIII DNA fragment. We have determined the nucleotide sequences of the S. pombe 5.8S RNA gene and intergenic spacers from two different 10.4 kb DNA fragments. Analysis of isolated total cellular 5.8S RNA revealed the presence of eight species of 5.8S RNA, differing in the number of nucleotides at the 5'-end. The eight 4.8S RNA species vary in length from 158 to 165 nucleotides. Apart from the heterogeneity observed at the 5'-end, the sequence of the eight 5.8S RNA species appears to be identical and is the same sequence as coded for by the 5.8S genes. The gene sequence shows great homology to the 5.8S RNA genes or S. cerevisiae and N. crassa. Most of the base differences are confined to the highly variable stem though to be involved in co-axial helix stacking with the 25S RNA, where base pairing is nearly identical despite the sequence differences. Secondary structure models are examined in light of 5.8S RNA oligonucleotide conservation across species from yeasts to higher eukaryotes.

Nucleotide sequence of an external transcribed spacer in Xenopus laevis rDNA: sequences flanking the 5' and 3' ends of 18S rRNA are non-complementary

We have sequenced the external transcribed spacer (ETS) of a ribosomal transcription unit from Xenopus laevis, together with sections of the preceding non-transcribed spacer. Our analysis was carried out on the same cloned transcription unit as that from which the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) were previously sequenced. The ETS is approximately 712 nucleotides long and, like the ITS regions, is generally very rich in C plus G. Features of the sequence include an excess of oligo-C tracts over oligo-G tracts and a tract of 37 nucleotides consisting almost entirely of G and A residues. Parts of the sequence can give rise to stable internal secondary structures. However, in contrast to Escherichia coli, there is no potential for major base-pairing between the 18S flanking regions of the ETS and ITS. Further findings are that there are no initiation (ATG) codons in the ETS and that, as in other X.laevis rDNA cloned units, the sequence preceding the ETS is duplicated, with a few changes, in the "Bam island" sequence of the non-transcribed spacer.