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A test for intron function in the yeast actin gene

Nature volume 314, pages 183–184 (1985)Cite this article

Abstract

Many eukaryotic genes contain intervening sequences (IVS)1,2, but the rationale for their existence remains a mystery. Previous studies done in our laboratory demonstrated that the intron in a yeast tRNATyr gene, SUP6, does have a function3,4. We used the same approach to determine the role of introns in nuclear genes encoding messenger RNAs. A single actin gene with one intron exists in Saccharomyces cerevisiae5,6. The level of actin in yeast appears to be crucial to viability: either too much or too little actin inhibits growth7. Therefore, small effects on synthesis of actin protein resulting from the removal of the actin gene intron would be expected to cause measurable changes in cell growth. In the present study, an intron-deleted actin gene was constructed in vitro and was used to replace the single resident actin gene in a haploid strain. Analysis of the cells carrying the intron-deleted actin gene shows that the intervening sequence is not essential for actin gene expression.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. H. Domdey

    Present address: Laboratorium für Molekulare Biologie—Genzentrum, Martinsried, FRG

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, USA

    R. Ng

  2. Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91125, USA

    H. Domdey & J. Abelson

  3. Department of Molecular Genetics, City of Hope Research Institute, Duarte, California, 91010, USA

    G. Larson & J. J. Rossi

Authors
  1. R. Ng
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  2. H. Domdey
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  3. G. Larson
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  4. J. J. Rossi
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  5. J. Abelson
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Ng, R., Domdey, H., Larson, G. et al. A test for intron function in the yeast actin gene. Nature 314, 183–184 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/314183a0

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