title: The three 5S rRNA genes from the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum are linked.
abstract: 5S rRNA and rDNA from Plasmodium falciparum have been characterized. The 5S rRNA transcripts isolated from erythrocytic stage parasites are composed of three distinct subclasses, 117-119 nucleotides in length, which are identical in sequence with the exception of one or two additional uridine residues at the 3' terminus. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA identified three 5S rRNA gene classes which are clustered within 1.5 kb of DNA. Cloning and sequence analyses of the 5S rDNA revealed identical coding regions surrounded by divergent extremely A+T rich flanking sequences (greater than 90%). Typical PolIII termination signals (6-8) T residues abut each coding region. Copy number analysis indicates that P. falciparum contains only three 5S rRNA genes, the lowest number reported for any organism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University College, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Shippen-Lentz
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Vezza
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics*; D005796:Genes; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics*; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics*; D012341:RNA, Ribosomal, 5S / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D012341:RNA, Ribosomal, 5S