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Evidence that in higher plants the 25S and 18S rRNA genes are not interspersed with genes for 5S rRNA

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Abstract

DNA samples from various higher plants (Phaseolus aureus, Glycine max, Matthiola incana, Brassica pekinensis, Cucumis melo) were centrifuged in actinomycin-caesium chloride gradients and the genes coding for the ribosomal RNAs were detected by hybridisation with tritium labelled 5S and 25S+18S rRNA, respectively. With DNA of low molecular weight (< 5×106 daltons) the 5S and 25S+18S rRNA genes are often fractionated together. A good separation of the genes for 25S+18S rRNA from the 5S rRNA genes occurred only with high molecular weight DNA (> 10×106 daltons) indicating that at least most of the 5S rRNA genes are not linked to, or interspersed with, the genes coding for 25S and 18S rRNA. This result is in agreement with the situation in animal cells and in contrast to that reported for bacteria, lower eukaryotes and chloroplasts.

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Author notes

  1. Donald Grierson

    Present address: Department of Physiology and Environmental Studies, University of Nottingham, School of Agriculture, LE12 5RD, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biology II, Department of Genetics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 7400, Tübingen, Germany

    Vera Hemleben & Donald Grierson

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  1. Vera Hemleben
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  2. Donald Grierson
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Hemleben, V., Grierson, D. Evidence that in higher plants the 25S and 18S rRNA genes are not interspersed with genes for 5S rRNA. Chromosoma 65, 353–358 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00286414

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00286414

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