Analysis of blue-green and red algal ribosomal-RNAs by gel electrophoresis

Ribosomal-RNAs of two species of red algae (Porphyridium aerugineum and Griffithsia pacifica) and a blue-green alga (Phormidium persicinium) were examined by the method of polycrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results of this study indicate that red algal cytoplasmic rRNAs have molecular weights (1.21 m and 0.54-0.58 m) which are the lowest of any other known for an eukaryotic organism; but a 130,000 dalton gap remains between these values (for the heavy rRNA component) and those for prokaryotic rRNAs (1.06-1.08 m and 0.56 to 0.59 m). Although the cytoplasmic rRNAs of the red algae are distinctly "eukaryotic" in size, the chloroplast rRNAs of these organisms exhibit physical characteristics (molecular weights and mode of breakdown) which make them more like blue-green algal rRNAs than like the rRNAs of other chloroplasts. © 1971 Springer-Verlag.

Duke Scholars

Author Joseph S. Ramus Marine Science and Conservation