(A) Positions of two internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) and 5′ and 3′ external transcribed spacers (ETS) are shown. Pre-rRNA cleavage sites are indicated by upper-case letters. Lower-case letters indicate the location of oligonucleotide probes used for northern hybridization and primer extension.
(B) The major pre-rRNA processing pathways adapted from Venema and Tollervey (1999). The 27SA2 pre-rRNA is processed by two alternative pathways, giving rise to two forms of 5.8S rRNA, the major short form 5.8Ss, and a minor long form 5.8SL. Exonuclease activities are indicated by circles with cutouts.