Sequence analysis of the maize mitochondrial 26S rRNA gene and flanking regions

A single copy of the large ribosomal 26S rRNA gene is found in the maize mitochondrial genome. The sequence of this gene and the flanking regions has been determined using the M13 dideoxy sequencing method. The maize mt 26S rDNA shares a high degree of homology with the Escherichia coli 23S rDNA, and the approximate 5' and 3' ends of the maize 26S rDNA have been located by comparison with the E. coli sequence. The maize mt 26S rDNA has also been compared with the sequences of the maize chloroplast 23S rDNA, the human mitochondrial 16S rDNA, part of the yeast mitochondrial 21S rDNA, and the yeast cytoplasmic 25S rDNA. In all cases, there are numerous regions of 70% or higher homology.