The gene for Spitodela oligorhiza chloroplast ribosomal protein homologous to E. coli ribosomal protein L16 is split by a large intron near its 5' end: Structure and expression

• Published in: Nucleic acids research Vol. 14; no. 8; pp. 3181 - 3196
• Main Authors: Posno, M, van Vliet, A, Groot, GSP
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.1986
• ISSN: 0305-1048

The nucleotide sequence of a Spirodela chloroplast DNA fragment, which directs the synthesis of a similar to 15 kD chloroplast ribosomal protein in an E. coli cell free system, has been determined. The deduced aminoacid sequence of the open reading frame shows extensive homology with E. coli ribosomal protein L16. Primer extension analysis, S1 nuclease mapping and nucleotide sequence analysis indicate that the chloroplast L16 gene (rpl16) is interrupted by a 1411 bp intron, which separates a short 5' exon from a large 3' exon. The shorter in vitro synthesized ribosomal protein results from an artificial initiation event at an internal ATG codon in the 3' exon. The sequences at the 5' and 3' splice sites of the intron are similar to consensus sequences described for other, class II intron containing, protein coding chloroplast genes.