The 5S RNA gene minichromosome of euplotes

Abstract

The macronucleus of the ciliated protozoan Euplotes eurystomus contains about 106 copies of a single type of 5S ribosomal RNA gene. This 5S gene DNA is only 930 bp long, is flanked by telomeres, and contains a single coding region of 120 bp which serves as a template for transcription in vivo and in vitro. The 5S gene minichromatin possesses four positioned nucleosomes and hypersensitive cleavage sites in the telomeric regions. © 1989 IRL Press at Oxford University Press.