Abstract
The complete nucleotide sequence of the rDNA large spacer region was determined for two related legume plants,Vicia faba andPisum sativum. In the large spacers of both plants, there were one or several tandem arrays of repeated sequences which accunt well for the length heterogeneity of the rDNA repeating units. When the entire lengths ofVicia andPisum rDNA large spacers were compared, significant sequence similarity ranging from approximately 50 to 80% was observed, thus a close phylogenetical relationship was revealed. However, organization patterns of these rDNA spacers were clearly different from each other. ThePisum rDNA large spacer contained only one type of repeated sequence of about 175 bp, whereas theVicia contained five kinds of repeated sequence. In addition, the initiation site for transcription was tentatively determined by S1 protection experiment.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Appels R, Honeycutt RL: rDNA: Evolution over a billion years. In: Dutta SK (ed) DNA Systematics, vol 2, pp. 82–135. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL (1986).
Appels R, Molan LB, Gustafson JP: The structure of DNA from the rye (Secale cereale) NOR R1 locus and its behaviour in wheat backgrounds. Can J Genet Cytol 28: 673–685 (1986).
Barker RF, Harbert NP, Jarvis MG, Flavell RB: Structure and evolution of the intergenic region in a ribosomal DNA repeat unit of wheat. J Mol Biol 201: 1–17 (1988).
Berk AJ, Sharp PA: Sizing and mapping of early adenovirus mRNAs by gel electrophoresis of S1 endonuclease-digested hybrids. Cell 12: 721–732 (1977).
Coens ES, Dover GA: Multiple PolI initiation sequences of rDNA spacers ofDrosophila melanogaster. Nucl Acids Res 10: 7017–7026 (1982).
6.Delcasso-Tremousaygue D, Grellet F, Panabieres F, Ananiev ED, Delseny M: Structural and transcriptional characterization of the external spacer of a ribosomal RNA nuclear gene from a higher plant. Eur J Biochem 172: 767–776 (1988).
Delseny M, Laroche M, Penon P: Methylation pattern of radish (Raphanus sativus) nuclear ribosomal RNA genes. Plant Physiol 76: 627–632 (1984).
Ellis THN, Davies DR, Castleton JA, Bedford ID: The organization and genetics of rDNA length variants in peas. Chromosoma 91: 74–81 (1984).
Financsek I, Mizumoto K, Mishima Y, Muramatsu M: Human ribosomal RNA gene: Nucleotide sequence of the transcription initiation region and comparison of three mammalian genes. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 79: 3092–3096 (1982).
Gerstner J, Schiebel K, von Waldburg G, Hemleben V: Complex organization of the length heterogeneous 5′ external spacer of mung bean (Vigna radiata) ribosomal DNA. Genome 30: 723–733 (1988).
Jorgensen RA, Cuellar RE, Thompson WF, Kavanagh TA: Structure and variation in ribosomal RNA genes of pea. Plant Mol Biol 8: 3–12 (1987).
Kato A, Yakura K, Tanifuji S: Repeated DNA sequences found in the large spacer ofVicia faba rDNA. Biochem Biophys Acta 825: 411–415 (1985).
MacDonald R, Swift GH, Przybyla AE, Chirgwin M: Isolation of RNA using guanidinium salts. Berger SL, Kimmel AR (eds) Methods in Enzymology, vol 152, pp. 219–227. Academic Press, New York (1987).
Mandel RK: The organization and transcription of eukaryotic ribosomal RNA genes. Prog Nucl Acid Res Mol Biol 31: 115–160 (1984).
Maxam AM, Gilbert W: Sequencing end-labeled DNA with base-specific chemical cleavages. In: Grossman L, Moldave K (eds) Methods in Enzymology, vol 65, pp. 499–560. Academic Press, New York (1980).
McMullen MD, Hunter B, Phillips RL, Rubenstein I: The structure of the maize ribosomal DNA spacer region. Nucl Acids Res 14: 4953–4968 (1986).
Reeder RH: Enhancers and ribosomal gene spacers. Cell 38: 349–351 (1983).
Rogers SO, Bendich AJ: Heritability and variability in ribosomal RNA genes ofVicia faba. Genetics 117: 285–295 (1987).
Sanger F: Determination of nucleotide sequences in DNA. Science 214: 1205–1210 (1981).
Schiebel K, von Waldburg G, Gerstner J, Hemleven V: Termination of transcription of ribosomal RNA genes of mung bean occure within a 175 bp repetitive element of the spacer region. Mol Gen Genet 218: 302–307 (1989).
Schmidt-Puchta W, Gunter I, Sanger HL: Nucleotide sequence of the intergenic spacer (IGS) of the tomato ribosomal DNA. Plant Mol Biol 13: 251–253 (1989).
Toloczyki C, Feix G: Occurrence of 9 homologous repeat units in the external spacer region of a nuclear maize rDNA gene unit. Nucl Acids Res 14: 4969–4986 (1986).
Vincentz M, Flavell RB: Mapping of ribosomal RNA transcripts in wheat. The Plant Cell 1: 579–589 (1989).
Yakura K, Kato A, Tanifuji S: Length heterogeneity of the large spacer ofVicia faba rDNA is due to the differing number of a 325 bp repetitive sequence elements. Mol Gen Genet 193: 400–405 (1984).
Yanisch-Perron C, Vieira J, Messing J: Improved M13 phage cloning vectors and host strains: nucleotide sequences of the M13mp18 and pUC19 vectors. Gene 33: 103–119 (1985).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kato, A., Nakajima, T., Yamashita, J. et al. The structure of the large spacer region of the rDNA inVicia faba andPisum sativum . Plant Mol Biol 14, 983–993 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00019395
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00019395