The 5S ribosomal genes in the Drosophila melanogaster species subgroup. Nucleotide sequence of a 5S unit from Drosophila simulans and Drosophila teissieri

The 5S genes of the eight species of the D. melanoqaster subgroup have been mapped. The spacers, in contrast with coding regions, differ markedly between most species. One 5S gene unit has been sequenced for both D. simulans and D. teissieri The mature 5S RNA region in these two species is identical to the corresponding region of D. melanoqaster Only 5 nucleotide variations occur between the D. melanogaster and D. simulans 55 gene spacers. The spacer in D. teissieri is very different. Only two segments, located one at each side of the coding region, are clearly homologous to corresponding sequences of D. melanogaster and D. simulans.