Organization of 5S rDNA repeated unit of Quercus imbricaria Michx.

Abstract

Aim. The 5S rDNA repeats represent a universal model for the investigation of molecular evolution of repeated sequences. Also, comparison of 5S rDNA was successfully applied for the elucidation of phylogenetic relationships between the closely related plant species. However, there is practically no data regarding the molecular organization of 5S rDNA repeats in members of the section Lobatae, one of the largest groups of the genus Quercus. Accordingly, our aim was to investigate the 5S rDNA organization for Q. imbricaria, a species that belongs to this section. Methods. DNA extraction, PCR amplification, cloning and sequencing. Results. A complete 5S rDNA repeat of Q. imbricaria was cloned and sequenced. It has been found that in the oak genome, the 5S rDNA coding region contains five nucleotide substitutions as compared to that in Arabidopsis. Nevertheless, the predicted secondary structure of the transcript retains all typical features of 5S rRNA. Presumptive sequence elements of the external promoter were identified in the IGS. Conclusions. The nucleotide substitutions that occur in the 5S rRNA during evolution appear to be compensatory, resulting in conservation of its secondary structure. Due to considerable differences among the species of different sections, the 5S rDNA IGS can be applied for the taxonomic studies in the genus Quercus. Keywords: 5S rDNA, molecular evolution, Quercus, Lobatae.