The Journal of Cell Biology, Vol 88, 599-603, Copyright © 1981 by The Rockefeller University Press
Identification of a novel class of tandemly repeated genes transcribed on lampbrush chromosomes of Pleurodeles waltlii
U Scheer
Electron microscope preparations of lampbrush chromosomes from oocytes of
Pleurodeles waltlii have revealed a new class of tandemly repeated genes.
These genes are highly active, as judged by the close spacing of nascent
transcripts. They occur in clusters of greater than 100 copies and are
transcribed in units containing roughly 940 base pairs of DNA that are
separated by nontranscribed spacers of an estimated DNA content of 2,410
base pairs. The size and the pattern of arrangement of these transcription
units can not be correlated with any of the repetitious genes so far
described.