5S rRNA-encoding genes of the marsupial frog Gastrotheca riobambae

Abstract

The major 5S rRNA gene repeat of the marsupial frog, Gastrotheca riobambae, is 1052 bp in length. It contains a 5S rRNA gene similar to the Xenopus laevis somatic gene, two spacer regions, and a pseudogene. The G. riobambae haploid genome contains about 500 copies of this predominant repeat. This relatively low number of 5S rRNA genes is associated with a limited amplification of the 18S, 5.8S and 28S rRNA genes in oocytes and with a slow rate of early development.