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Heterologous rRNA gene expression: internal fragmentation of Sciara coprophila 28S rRNA within microinjected Xenopus laevis oocytes
Author(s) -
BasileBorgia A. E.,
Dunbar D. A.,
Ware V. C.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
insect molecular biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.955
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-2583
pISSN - 0962-1075
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2005.00583.x
Subject(s) - biology , xenopus , ribosomal rna , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , gene , ribosome , polarity in embryogenesis , internal transcribed spacer , 28s ribosomal rna , fragmentation (computing) , rna , embryogenesis , gastrulation , ecology
Species‐specific pre‐rRNA processing variations may result in fragmented 18S, 5.8S and 28S rRNAs. Some insect 5.8S and 28S rRNAs are further cleaved, creating within a ‘hidden break’ or ‘gap’. We investigated the specificity of the processing mechanism by microinjecting Sciara coprophila (fungus fly) rDNA into Xenopus laevis oocytes to examine insect rRNA maturation within a cell where endogenous rRNAs are not cleaved at homologous sites. Results confirm insect rDNA transcription and pre‐28S rRNA fragmentation, demonstrating that fly‐specific processing machinery is not required. Instead, oocytes may provide required accessory factors, suggesting that the insect gap processing mechanism is served by an evolutionarily conserved apparatus. Alternatively, these results may suggest that processing in some lineages is an autocatalytic property of the rRNA.