Complete sequence and secondary structure of the large subunit ribosomal RNA from the harmful unarmored dinoflagellate Akashiwo sanguinea

Abstract

This is the first report of the complete DNA sequence of the gene encoding the ribosomal large subunit (LSU rDNA, 3336 bp) from the naked gymnodinioid dinoflagellate Akashiwo sanguinea. No introns were found in the LSU rDNA coding region and secondary structures were predicted for both the LSU and 5.8S rRNAs. The predicted LSU structure showed most of the features seen in the consensus secondary structure model proposed for the eukaryotic nuclear LSU rRNAs. However, six helices (C1_1, C1_2, C1_3, D10, D20_1 and H1_2) are not present in the A. sanguinea LSU structure. Particularly, the C branch area (or D2 domain), was extremely reduced compared to the eukaryotic consensus sequence due to nucleotide deletion. Phylogenetic resolution against 12 divergent (D) domains and cores in LSU rDNA showed that the D1, D2 and D12 domains were highly variable and could be used as genetic markers within low taxonomic levels, particularly in the gymnodinioid complex.

• Akashiwo sanguinea
• large-subunit rDNA
• secondary structure
• phylogenetic resolution
• D domain

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dr J. Wuyts (University of Antwerp, Belgium) and Richard P. Brown (Liverpool John Moores University, UK) for their assistance with the secondary structure. We wish to thank two anonymous reviewers for very helpful comments. This work was supported by the International Research Program of KOSEF (Project No. F01-2004-000-10409-0).