Ribosomal RNA genes in plants: variability in copy number and in the intergenic spacer

Structure and chromosomal localization of DNA sequences related to ribosomal subrepeats in Vicia faba

Subrepeating sequences of 325 bp found in the ribosomal intergenic spacer (IGS) of Vicia faba and responsible for variations in the length of the polycistronic units for rRNA were isolated and used as probes for in situ hybridization. Hybridization occurs at many regions of the metaphase chromosomes besides those bearing rRNA genes, namely chromosome ends and all the heterochromatic regions revealed by enhanced fluorescence after quinacrine staining. The DNA homologous to the 325 bp repeats that does not reside in the IGS was isolated, cloned and sequenced. It is composed of tandemly arranged 336 bp elements, each comprising two highly related 168 bp sequences. This structure is very similar to that of the IGS repeats and ca. 75% nucleotide sequence identity can be observed between these and the 168 bp doublets. The most obvious difference lies in the deletion, in the former, of a 14 bp segment from one of the two related sequences. It is hypothesized that the IGS repeats are derived from the 336 bp elements and have been transposed to ribosomal cistrons from other genome fractions. The possible relations between these sequences and others with similar structural features found in other species are discussed.

Subrepeats of rDNA intergenic spacer present as prominent independent satellite DNA in Vigna radiata but not in Vigna angularis

Subrepeats located in the rDNA intergenic spacer are also present as independently occurring, tandemly arranged satellite DNA clusters in the genome of Vigna radiata (mung bean). These 174-bp satellite repeats are identified as non-rDNA repeats by the presence of an AluI site. In the closely related Vigna angularis (adzuki bean), 174-bp repeats characterized by an AluI site occur in the rDNA with high sequence homology to the V. radiata rDNA subrepeats. A part of the 174-bp element that shows high similarity to a Xenopus terminator box (T2/T3) is slightly modified in V. angularis. However, a characteristic stem-loop structure can be formed, as in the case of V. radiata. Two highly conserved 12-bp regions occur within the 174-bp rDNA repeats of the two plants investigated. One of these 12-bp stretches exhibits some sequence identity to an element repeated twice in the 325-bp repeats in the intergenic spacer region of Vicia faba (broad bean).

Molecular and cytological characterization of repetitive DNA sequences in Brassica

We isolated three different repetitive DNA sequences from B. campestris and determined their nucleotide sequences. In order to analyze organization of these repetitive sequences in Brassica, Southern blot hybridization and in situ hybridization with metaphase chromosomes were performed. The sequence cloned in the plasmid pCS1 represented a middle repetitive sequence present only in B. campestris and not detected in closely related B. Oleracea. This sequence was localized at centromeric regions of six specific chromosomes of B. campestris. The second plasmid, pBT4, contained a part of the 25S ribosomal RNA gene, and its copy number was estimated to be 1,590 and 1,300 per haploid genome for B. campestris and B. oleracea, respectively. In situ hybridization with this sequence showed a clear signal at the NOR region found in the second largest chromosome of B. Campestris. The third plasmid, pBT11, contained a 175-bp insert that belongs to a major family of tandem repeats found in all the Brassica species. This sequence was detected at centromeric regions of all the B. campestris chromosomes. Our study indicates that in situ hybridization with various types of repetitive sequences should give important information on the evolution of repetitive DNA in Brassica species.

Length heterogeneity of the rRNA precursor in cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

The length homogeneous part of the intergenic spacer (IGS) of the 18S-25S ribosomal RNA genes of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) was characterized by sequencing 2389 bp preceding the 18S rRNA coding region of a 12.5 kbp repeat type. This part of the IGS is composed of repeated elements and shows a very complex structural organization. Most obvious is a 119 bp element which is repeated seven times. A single transcription initiation site (TIS) was detected by a 'T4 polymerase stop' experiment upstream of these repetitions giving rise to a 2013 bp 5' external transcribed spacer (ETS) for cucumber. Nuclease mapping showed several transcription termination sites (TTS): the first one is located 350 bp downstream of the 25S rRNA coding region, the others are found within the duplications of this region accounting for the length heterogeneity of cucumber rDNA. Therefore, the TTS is repeated two or three times in the IGS depending on the length of the respective repeat classes and the rRNA precursor is heterogeneous in length varying from approx. 8000 to 11000 nts.

Variation in the ribosomal DNA intergenic spacer of a maize population mass-selected for high grain yield

Variation in the intergenic spacer of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was detected among individual plants of the open-pollinated maize variety 'Hays Golden' and populations derived from this variety. rDNA intergenic spacer-length variants were detected at approximately 200 bp intervals, consistent with the number of 200 bp subrepeats as the basis for this variation. Inheritance data revealed that more than one spacer-length class may be present on an individual chromosome. Fourteen different predominant rDNA intergenic spacer hybridization fragment patterns were detected. C-29, a population developed by 29 cycles of mass-selecting Hay Golden for high grain yield, exhibited a significant change in rDNA intergenic spacer hybridization fragment pattern composition in comparison to Hays Golden. This change included a reduction in frequency of the shortest predominant space-length variant (3.4 kb) and an increase in a 5.2 -kb hybridization fragment. I-31, a population developed through thermal neutron irradiation of Hays Golden and 31 generations of mass selection for high grain yield, did not exhibit a significant change in overall rDNA intergenic spacer composition. I-31 did exhibit an increase in frequency of the 5.2-kb hybridization fragment and a significant change in two specific hybridization fragment patterns that had also changed in C-29. These data, particularly for the C-29 population, suggest that rDNA intergenic spacer-length variants and/or associated loci were influenced by selection.

Transcription of tomato ribosomal DNA and the organization of the intergenic spacer

The organization of the intergenic spacer of a 9.04 kb tomato ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) was determined. The 3258 bp spacer contains two major repeat elements enclosing a region which includes 351 bp of an 81.8% A --T rich sequence. A block of nine 53 bp repeats begins 388 bp downstream from the 3' end of the 25S rRNA. The A--T rich domain is followed by a block of six 141 bp repeats terminating 818 bp upstream from the 5' end of the 18S rRNA. Major pre-rRNAs of 7.6 and 6.5 kb were observed by Northern hybridization analysis. The 5' termini of these RNAs were identified through combined S1 nuclease and primer extension analyses. The 7.6 kb RNA is likely to be the primary transcript; its 5' terminus lies within a sequence motif. TATA(R)TA(N)GGG, conserved at the termini of transcripts mapped in three other plant species. The 6.5 kb RNA is interpreted as a 5' end processed transcript derived from the 7.6 kb RNA. Comparative analysis of transcribed sequences revealed a 25 bp domain of the intergenic spacer which is relatively conserved among five plant species. The conservation of spacer sequences in plants is in contrast to the extensive sequence divergence of the intergenic spacer in other non-plant systems and suggests a conserved function directed by these sequences.

Ribosomal gene spacer length variability in cultivated and wild rice species

Restriction fragment length polymorphism of the rDNA spacer was studied in the genus Oryza using a cloned rice rDNA probe. One-hundred-five accessions, including 58 cultivated rice and 47 wild species with various genome types, were analysed. Seven size classes differing from one another by an "increment" of ca. 300 bp were observed amongst the Asiatic cultivated rice of the species O. sativa. A general tendency from a smaller spacer in the Japonica subtypes to longer ones in Indica is observed. Classification as Japonica or Indica on the basis of rDNA pattern generally agrees with classification based on isozyme patterns. In contrast, African rice of the species O. glaberrima does not display any rDNA size variation. When wild species are considered, extensive variation is observed, but the fragment sizes do not fall into regularly increasing size classes except for O. rufipogon and O. longistaminata. The variation is greater in these species than in the cultivated ones.

Methylated and undermethylated rDNA repeats are interspersed at random in two higher plant species

The organization of methylated rDNA repeats of radish and pea is described and it is shown that methylated repeats and non-methylated repeats are interspersed one with another. Methylated arrays are not much longer than 100 kb, or about 10 repeat units in length.

Methylation of ribosomal RNA genes inPetunia hybrida plants, callus cultures and regenerated shoots

The extent of methylation of the 18S-25S ribosomal RNA genes ofPetunia hybrida has been investigated using methylation-sensitive restriction endonucleases and Southern hybridisation. The genes in leaves, ovaries, petals, stigmas, anthers, and seed are methylated to a similar extent, but those in roots are hypomethylated. Genes in adventitious roots formed from stem cuttings are also hypomethylated. Genes in callus cultures initiated from leaf discs vary widely in the extent of methylation, but the pattern obtained is stable during culture. Callus cells containing hypomethylated genes can give rise to shoots in which the extent of methylation has reverted to that of the original leaf explant. These results demonstrate the striking plasticity of ribosomal RNA gene methylation inPetunia.

Cloning and sequence analysis of the 18 S ribosomal RNA gene of tomato and a secondary structure model for the 18 S rRNA of angiosperms

The gene of a cytoplasmic 18 S ribosomal RNA (18 S rDNA) of the dicotyledonous plant tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) cv. Rentita has been cloned, and its complete primary structure has been determined. The tomato 18 S rDNA is 1805 bp long with a G + C content of 49.6%. Its sequence exhibits 94%-96% positional identity when it is colinearly aligned with the previously reported sequences of the 17-18 S rDNAs of the dicot soybean and the monocots maize and rice. A model of the secondary structure of the 18 S rRNA of angiosperms is presented and its genera-specific structural features are compared with a current eukaryotic 18 S rRNA consensus model.

Ribosomal DNA repeat unit polymorphism in 25 Hordeum species

Tandemly repeated DNA sequences containing structural genes encoding ribosomal RNA (rDNA) were investigated in 25 species of Hordeum using the wheat rDNA probe pTA71. The rDNA repeat unit lengths were shown to vary between 8.5 and 10.7 kb. The number of length classes (1-3) per accession generally corresponded to the number of nucleolar organizing regions (NORs). Intraspecific variation was found in H. parodii, H. spontaneum and H. leporinum, but not in H. bulbosum. Restriction analysis showed that the positions of EcoRI, SacI and certain BamHI cleavage sites in the rRNA structural genes were highly conserved, and that repeat unit length variation was generally attributable to the intergenic spacer region. Five rDNA BamHI restriction site maps corresponded to the following groups of species: Map A - H. murinum, H. glaucum, H. leporinum, H. bulbosum, H. marinum, H. geniculatum; Map B - H. leporinum; Map C - H. vulgare, H. spontaneum, H. agriocrithon; Map D - H. chilense, H. bogdanii; and Map E - remaining 14 Hordeum species. The repeat unit of H. bulbosum differed from all other species by the presence of a HindIII site. The closer relationship of H. bulbosum to H. leporinum, H. murinum and H. glaucum than to H. vulgare was indicated by their BamHI restriction maps.

The Cucurbita maxima ribosomal DNA intergenic spacer has a complex structure

The nucleotide (nt) sequence of the 5508-nt intergenic spacer (IGS), between the 25S- and the 18S-coding regions of Cucurbita maxima rDNA, was determined. The fragment sequenced is 6142 nt long and includes 472 nt of 25S- and 162 nt of 18S-coding regions. The IGS has a complex primary structure, composed of five repetitive families (A-E) and three unique domains. It is dominated by the presence of nine, tandemly-repeating units of approximately 250 nt (repeat D), each unit containing four copies of an internal subrepeat (repeat E). The repetitive units show sequence variability consisting of nt changes, insertions and deletions. Upstream of the nine D repeats and between two copies of the B repeat is a 575-nt region, highly G + C rich (83%) and heavily biased toward C (58%) in the sense strand. Within this region are six repetitive units, averaging 42 nt (repeat C) each, containing but a single A nt. Downstream from the terminus of the 25S-coding sequence, are two tandem copies of the 103-nt A repeat. The IGS of C. maxima is longer and more complex than that of other plant IGSs described to date. The 600 nt at the 5' portion of cucurbit IGS is more conserved in evolution than the remainder, as revealed by comparison of C. maxima and C. pepo IGS restriction maps and by nucleotide sequence comparison of C. maxima and Cucumis sativa IGSs.

Termination of transcription of ribosomal RNA genes of mung bean occurs within a 175 bp repetitive element of the spacer region

In mung bean (Vigna radiata, formerly Phaseolus aureus) one length heterogeneity in the intergenic spacer (IGS) of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) is due to a variable number of 175-bp subrepeats. This spacer region downstream of the 25S rRNA coding region was characterized by sequencing the 2.4 kb EcoRI/HindIII fragment of a 10.5 kb mung bean rDNA repeat. Within the 175-bp repetitive elements a sequence was detected showing strong similarity to the T2/T3-box (GACTTGC) found in Xenopus rDNA and involved in termination and enhancing transcription. In mung bean this sequence partly forms the stem of a possible stem-loop structure at the 3'end of each subrepeat. Nuclease mapping of transcription termination sites (TTS) results in two signals, 65 bp and 315 bp downstream of the 3'end of the 25S rRNA coding region. The longer transcript terminates 20 bp downstream of the stem-loop structure at the end of the first 175-bp subrepeat. A spacer model is proposed which allows "readthrough enhancement". No cross-hybridization was observed between the 180-bp subrepeats in pea (Pisum sativum) rDNA and the mung bean 175-bp subrepeat.

Isolation and characterization of an unusual repeated sequence from the ribosomal intergenic spacer of the crucifer Sisymbrium irio

A recombinant plasmid containing a 433 base pair (bp) Bam HI fragment from Sisymbrium irio genomic DNA was isolated and characterized. This fragment was shown to be a ribosomal intergenic spacer (IGS) sequence which is reiterated up to six times in the IGS and extends close to the 5' end of the 18S rRNA gene. The nucleotide sequence of the cloned element is composed of 10-11 40 bp blocks that are probably derived from a common ancestor. The presence of a similar sequence can be detected in the DNA of another Sisymbrium species and in Matthiola incana. Homology was also found with the last 43 nucleotides of the radish IGS 3' end, suggesting that there is possibly a common ancestral nucleotide motif in cruciferous IGS sequences. The cloned element hybridises to RNA transcripts, indicating that the S. irio IGS repetitive sequence is at least partially transcribed during the pre-rRNA transcription process.

Genomic organization of the ribosomal DNA of sorghum and its close relatives

The structure and organization of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and several closely related grasses were determined by gel blot hybridization to cloned maize rDNA. Monocots of the genus Sorghum (sorghum, shattercane, Sudangrass, and Johnsongrass) and the genus Saccharum (sugarcane species) were observed to organize their rDNA as direct tandem repeats of several thousand rDNA monomer units. For the eight restriction enzymes and 14 cleavage sites examined, no variations were seen within all of the S. bicolor races and other Sorghum species investigated. Sorghum, maize, and sugarcane were observed to have very similar rDNA monomer sizes and restriction maps, befitting their close common ancestry. The restriction site variability seen between these three genera demonstrated that sorghum and sugarcane are more closely related to each other than either is to maize. Variation in rDNA monomer lengths were observed frequently within the Sorghum genus. These size variations were localized to the intergenic spacer region of the rDNA monomer. Unlike many maize inbreds, all inbred Sorghum diploids were found to contain only one rDNA monomer size in an individual plant. These results are discussed in light of the comparative timing, rates, and modes of evolutionary events in Sorghum and other grasses. Spacer size variation was found to provide a highly sensitive assay for the genetic contribution of different S. bicolor races and other Sorghum species to a Sorghum population.

Putative termination sites for rDNA transcription in rice

A clone bearing a 9.8 kb insert DNA containing the rDNA unit was identified by screening an EcoR1 library of rice DNA in lambda Charon 4 phage with [32P]-rRNAs. The S1 nuclease mapping of the rDNA-precursor rRNA hybrids showed the presence of two transcription termini on the rDNA. They were mapped at positions 616 and 620 nucleotides downstream to the end of the 25S rRNA gene. The 18 nucleotide sequence, where the transcription terminates on the rDNA in rice and mice are homologous albeit in the reverse orientation.

Structure and variability of nuclear ribosomal genes in the genus Helianthus

The restriction map of the rDNA unit of Helianthus annuus was constructed using EcoRI, BamHI, HindIII, KpnI and SacI restriction enzymes. Variations in this map among 61 ecotypes representing 39 species of the genus Helianthus were analyzed. The sizes of the rDNA unit ranged from 9.8 to 11.0 kbp, due to a length-repeat heterogeneity of the external non-transcribed spacer by increments of 200 base pair segments. Lengthrepeat heterogeneity and restriction polymorphism were found to be characteristic of populations or species of Helianthus. Restriction patterns and thermal melting with probes of a cloned H. annuus ENTS segment allowed us to differentiate species from each other. However, most lines of the cultivated sunflower were found to be identical on the basis of the physical properties of their ribosomal DNA.

Complex structure of the ribosomal DNA spacer of Cucumis sativus (cucumber)

The nuclear 18 S, 5.8 S and 25 S ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) of Cucumis sativus (cucumber) occur in at least four different repeat types of 10.2, 10.5, 11.5, and 12.5 kb in length. The intergenic spacer of these repeats has been cloned and characterized with respect to sequence organization. The spacer structure is very unusual compared to those of other eukaryotes. Duplicated regions of 197 bp and 311 bp containing part of the 3'end of the 25 S rRNA coding region and approximately 470 bp of 25 S rRNA flanking sequences occur in the intergenic spacer. The data from sequence analysis suggest that these duplications originate from recombination events in which DNA sequences of the original rDNA spacer were paired with sequences of the 25 S rRNA coding region. The duplicated 3'ends of the 25 S rRNA are separated from each other mostly by a tandemly repeated 30 bp element showing a high GC-content of 87.5%. In addition, another tandemly repeated sequence of 90 bp was found downstream of the 3'flanking sequences of the 25 S rRNA coding region. These results suggest that rRNA coding sequences can be involved in the generation of rDNA spacer sequences by unequal crossing over.

Structural and transcriptional characterization of the external spacer of a ribosomal RNA nuclear gene from a higher plant

A lambda recombinant phage, carrying a radish rDNA fragment spanning the complete external spacer and its borders, has been isolated and characterized by sequencing. The fragment is 2911 bp long and includes 486 bp of the 3' end of the 25S rRNA sequence, 2349 bp of spacer and the first 76 bp of the 5' end of the 18S rRNA sequence. The spacer can be divided into three regions: two unique domains flanking a 830-bp region of repeated sequences. Seven repeats ranging from 80 to 103 bp can be recognized. They are separated by short arrays of 12-21 adenylic residues. Each repeat slightly differs from the others by single-nucleotide changes or short deletions. Examination of single-nucleotide changes common to two units suggests that a duplication arose during the evolution of this sequence. The repeated region was subcloned and used as a probe to demonstrate that it is highly species-specific: in stringent conditions it does not cross-hybridize with the spacer of ribosomal genes from closely related species such as Brassica. Transcription products, starting or finishing within the spacer sequence, were mapped by northern blotting, primer extension and S1 mapping. Two major precursors were identified starting respectively at positions 2095 and 2280. The region surrounding the start at 2095 presents extensive homology with an analogous region in maize, rye, mung bean, Xenopus and tse-tse fly. However, longer transcripts can be detected. Several 3' ends downstream of the 25S terminus were also observed. Taken together these results indicate that rDNA transcription and pre-rRNA processing in plants are more complex than anticipated from previous studies.