Rare individuals of Xenopus laevis exhibit frequent initiation of transcription in the spacers of oocyte ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Using electron microscopy we have characterized spacer transcription in such an individual and have confirmed that the sites of transcription initiation correspond to the imperfectly duplicated promoters ("Bam islands") present in the X. laevis rDNA spacer. We have clon...

Genes coding for 45S ribosomal RNA are organized in tandem arrays of up to several thousand copies and contain 18S, 5.8S and 26S rRNA units separated by internal transcribed spacers ITS1 and ITS2. While the rRNA units are evolutionary conserved, ITS show high level of interspecific divergence and have been used frequently in genetic diversity and phylogenetic studies. In this work we report on ...

Eleven isolates of Radopholus similis from various banana-growing areas around the world and one isolate of R. bridgei from turmeric in Indonesia were compared using DNA and isoenzyme analysis. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify a fragment of ribosomal DNA (rDNA), comprising the two internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and the 5.8S gene. Restriction fragment length polymorphi...

Ribosomal DNA sequence data has been important in elucidatingmolecular evolution, discerning phylogenetic relationships, and in developing species diagnostics. Species in the genus Anastrepha Schiner, particularly members of the Fraterculus Species Group, are considered the most important native pests of fruit in the New World. This study presents the Þrst complete rDNA sequence data spanning t...

The two internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) of rDNA of three members of the Ixodes ricinus "complex" (Acari: Ixodidae) were sequenced. Sequence variation was assessed for the North American species I. scapularis, I. dammini, and I. pacificus at three levels: within individual/population, between individuals of different geographic origin within a species, and between species. Both spac...

Eco-RI-A fragments of the human ribosomal RNA gene family from two types of tissue and three individuals were cloned in lambda vectors and compared by restriction enzyme digestion and electron microscopy. The EcoRI fragment A contains (i) 0.2 kb of the 3' end of the 18S rDNA, (ii) 2.5 kb of internal transcribed spacer and the 5.8S rDNA, and (iii) 4.6 kb of the 28S rDNA gene. All of the six clon...

We determined the nucleotide sequence of a D. melanogaster ribosomal DNA spacer. Sequences of various portions of different cloned ribosomal spacers have been previously reported. We extend the analysis to cover the entire nontranscribed and external transcribed regions. Comparison to other cloned ribosomal DNA gene units of this species confirms a conserved general organization of the ribosoma...