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Beyond ribosomal DNA: on towards the telomere

  • Research Articles
  • rDNA and Lack Thereof
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Abstract

We have sequenced and analyzed 8.3 kb of sequence adjacent and distal to the human ribosomal DNA (rDNA); this distal sequence connects to the rDNA cluster just 4 kb upstream of the first promoter and is shared among the acrocentric chromosomes and, at least in part, it is also present in other primates. The sequence differs in character from that of the rDNA intergenic spacer (IGS) in that it does not contain long stretches of either polypyrimidine or polypurine. However, just like the IGS, it contains numerous repetitive elements, including retroposed fragments of 28S rRNA and large pieces of the IGS. In addition, we show that the rDNA clusters are not interrupted by other sequences and do not recombine with this distal segment.

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Author notes

  1. Iris L. Gonzalez

    Present address: Clinical Science, DuPont Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 269, 19899, Wilmington, DE, USA

  2. James E. Sylvester

    Present address: The Nemours Children's Clinic, 807 Nira Street, 32207, Jacksonville, FI, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Broad and Vine, MCP Hahnemann School of Medicine, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, 19102, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Iris L. Gonzalez & James E. Sylvester

Authors
  1. Iris L. Gonzalez
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  2. James E. Sylvester
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Correspondence to Iris L. Gonzalez.

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Edited by: S.A. Gerbi

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Gonzalez, I.L., Sylvester, J.E. Beyond ribosomal DNA: on towards the telomere. Chromosoma 105, 431–437 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02510479

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02510479

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