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Distinct Transcription Products of Ribosomal Genes in Two Different Tissues

Nature New Biology volume 235, pages 80–82 (1972)Cite this article

Abstract

MOST organisms contain multiple copies of the genes which code for ribosomal RNA (rRNA), the number varying from about 160 to 28,000 per nucleus in different eukaryotic species1; these genes are clustered in the nucleolus. The repeating unit is a DNA sequence containing the structural genes for the 18S and 28S rRNA together with spacer DNA, only a part of which is transcribed2. Ribosomal RNA is transcribed from these genes as a polycistronic precursor molecule (pre-rRNA) which contains the rRNA sequences of the larger and smaller ribosomal subunits together with some additional sequences that are discarded during the maturation to rRNA3. The multiple gene copies are identical in the ribosomal regions within the limits detectable by present methods1, although there is some evidence that regions of non-transcribed spacer DNA vary in length and may therefore not all be identical2. We have suggested that the pre-rRNA may also be heterogeneous in molecular weight4.

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Author notes

  1. D. GRIERSON

    Present address: Department of Physiology and Environmental Studies, University of Nottingham, and School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Edinburgh,

    D. GRIERSON & U. E. LOENING

Authors
  1. D. GRIERSON
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  2. U. E. LOENING
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GRIERSON, D., LOENING, U. Distinct Transcription Products of Ribosomal Genes in Two Different Tissues. Nature New Biology 235, 80–82 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio235080a0

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