Sequence analysis of the maize mitochondrial 26 S rRNA gene and flanking regions

Abstract

A single copy of the large ribosomal 26 S rRNA gene is found in the maize mitochondrial genome. The sequence of this gene and the flanking regions has been determined using the M13 dideoxy sequencing method. The maize mt 26 S rDNA shares a high degree of homology with the Escherichia coli 23 S rDNA, and the approximate 5' and 3' ends of the maize 26 S rDNA have been located by comparison with the E. coli sequence. The maize mt 26 S rDNA has also been compared with the sequences of the maize chloroplast 23 S rDNA, the human mitochondrial 16 S rDNA, part of the yeast mitochondrial 21 S rDNA, and the yeast cytoplasmic 25 S rDNA. In all cases, there are numerous regions of 70% or higher homology.