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. 1985 Apr 25;13(8):2869–2879. doi: 10.1093/nar/13.8.2869

Preferential DNase I sensitivity of insert-free ribosomal RNA repeats of Drosophila melanogaster.

R L Wayne, Z D Sharp, J D Procunier
PMCID: PMC341200  PMID: 2987869

Abstract

The five predominant types of rDNA repeats in D. melanogaster were analyzed with respect to their DNase I sensitivity. Only the insert-free repeats showed a generalized DNase I sensitivity pattern whereas the major type I, both minor type I and type II repeats were not as extensively degraded by the nuclease. For XX and XY embryonic nuclei, where there is rapid cell division, the majority of the In- repeats were DNase I sensitive. This indicated that these In- repeats have the potential to be transcribed during this developmental stage. When compared to the In- repeats, the chromatin configuration of the In+ repeats is indicative of a higher order of chromatin folding. The paucity of In+ primary gene transcripts observed in vivo could result from In+ repeats being packaged into a more condensed form of chromatin.

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Selected References

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