Localization of Small-Nuclear-Rna Genes of Drosophila Melanogaster on Polytene Chromosomes
Nag, Abhijit
This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/77613
Description
Title
Localization of Small-Nuclear-Rna Genes of Drosophila Melanogaster on Polytene Chromosomes
Author(s)
Nag, Abhijit
Issue Date
1981
Department of Study
Genetics and Development
Discipline
Genetics and Development
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Biology, Genetics
Language
eng
Abstract
The existence of discrete, stable, small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) is known since 1960s. These RNAs range in size from 90-300 nucleotides and are confined to eukaryotic nuclei. snRNAs have been well-characterized biochemically and have been isolated and sequenced from different organisms. Recent observations that these RNAs associate with hnRNA and small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) act as antigens that are precipitated by antibodies from patients with lupus erythematosus, an auto-immune rheumatic disease, have sparked new interest in these molecules. snRNAs have been found to be highly conserved in evolution and certain regions of these RNAs show complementarity to intron/exon splice junctions. This has led to the suggestion that snRNAs act as mediators in mRNA processing. However, there is no direct evidence.
In this project Drosophila snRNAs, larger than 5S RNA, were isolated and mapped on polytene chromosomes. A rough estimate of the size of snRNAs shows them to have between 100-275 nucleotides. From hybridization kinetics their gene copy number seems to be 100-400. Mapping of snRNA genes shown certain interesting features. First, they map on developmental puffs. All snRNA puff sites are not active throughout, however, at least two sites are active at any given time. Second, snRNAs are localized on doublets or two adjacent bands, indicating that they are repeated. Finally snRNAs tend to cluster. Three snRNAs map on chromosome 2(L) - snDm 2 at 29DE, snDm 3 at 28C and snDm 6 at 29EF, 30A; three map on chromosome 3(R) - snDm 4, 5 and 7 at 95BC, 83D and 95EF respectively and only one maps by itself on 3(L) - snDm 5 at 65CD.
Use this login method if you
don't
have an
@illinois.edu
email address.
(Oops, I do have one)
IDEALS migrated to a new platform on June 23, 2022. If you created
your account prior to this date, you will have to reset your password
using the forgot-password link below.
