title: Identification of the genes coding for the second-largest subunits of RNA polymerases I and III of Drosophila melanogaster.
abstract: We have isolated cDNA and genomic clones of Drosophila melanogaster by cross-hybridization with a 658 bp fragment of the yeast gene coding for the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase III (RET1). Determination of the sequence by comparison of genomic and cDNA regions reveals an ORF of 3405 nucleotides which is interrupted in the genomic sequence by an intron of 48 bp. The deduced polypeptide consists of 1135 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 128 kDa. The protein sequence shows the same conserved regions of homology as those observed for all the second-largest subunits of RNA polymerases cloned so far. The gene (DmRP128) obviously codes for a second-largest subunit of an RNA polymerase which is different from DmRP140 and DmRP135. We have purified three distinct RNA polymerase activities from D. melanogaster. By using specific RNA polymerase inhibitors in enzyme assays and by comparing their subunit composition we were able to distinguish between RNA polymerase I, II, and III. RNA polymerase preparations of D. melanogaster were blotted and the second-largest subunits were identified with antibodies raised against polypeptides expressed from DmRP128 and DmRP135. Anti-DmRP135 antibodies react strongly with the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase I but do not react with the respective subunits of RNA polymerase II and III. The second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase III is only recognized by anti-DmRP128. Previously, we have claimed that DmRP135 codes for the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase III.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Institut für Molekulare Genetik, Universität Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Seifarth
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kontermann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riva
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huet
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Bautz
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000201:enzymology*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012318:RNA Polymerase I / Q000235:genetics*; D012320:RNA Polymerase III / Q000235:genetics*; D016415:Sequence Alignment
chemical_list: D004247:DNA; D012318:RNA Polymerase I; D012320:RNA Polymerase III