[Distribution of repeating nucleotide sequences in the macronucleus DNA of Tetrahymena infusoria]

Abstract

The genome of Tetrahymena pyriformis macronucleus contain less than 10% of repetitive sequences. About half of them consist of long, more than 2000 base pairs, moderately repeated sequences. Short repetitive sequences (200--300 base pairs) represent 4--5% of the genome. We assume, that the short repetitive sequences are interspersed with single copy sequences of about 1000 base pairs. In this case less than 15% of the Tetrahymena DNA should consist of interspersed repetitive and single copy sequences.