Satellite DNA is transcribed on lampbrush chromosomes.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

During the lampbrush stage of oogenesis there is widespread transcription, and it has been estimated that the total amount of DNA transcribed may be an order of magnitude greater than that required to produce the necessary functional RNA for the oocyte. We therefore considered it likely that some of the transcribed sequences have little, if any, translational significance, and may include both middle repetitive and highly repeated, or satellite, sequences. Satellite DNA is generally defined as rapidly reannealing DNA which has a short basic sequence that is repeated millions of times in the genome, usually in tandem arrays. The short repeated length, coupled with the organisation of satellite sequences in high order molecular weight tandem arrays in heterochromatic regions, have been put forward as reasons for supposing that this type of DNA is not normally transcribed. We report here that we have looked for and found evidence of transcription of satellite DNA on lampbrush loops in oocytes of the crested newt, Triturus cristatus carnifex.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Varley, JM; Macgregor, HC; Erba, HP

Published Date

  • February 14, 1980

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 283 / 5748

Start / End Page

  • 686 - 688

PubMed ID

  • 7188786

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0028-0836

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1038/283686a0

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • England