The structure of the gene for ribosomal protein L5 in the archaebacterium Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

Abstract

The gene for the ribosomal protein L5 from the archaebacterium Sulfolobus acidocaldarius has been isolated and sequenced. The gene codes for a basic protein of molecular weight 29 165 Da. This protein shows substantial similarity to the equivalent protein from other archaebacteria as well as from yeast, and considerably less similarity to the equivalent eubacterial protein. These results support the concept of the archaebacteria as a monophyletic kingdom more closely related to eukaryotes than to eubacteria.