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Distribution of split 5.8S ribosomal RNA in Diptera
1Department of Agrobiology, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Insect Molecular Biology
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Split 5.8S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is found in some Diptera species, but not in mosquitoes or fleas. This study investigates the evolutionary origin of split 5.8S rRNA in Diptera and Siphonaptera.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Most eukaryotes possess a single 5.8S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) molecule.
- A split 5.8S rRNA, composed of two distinct pieces, has been observed in certain dipteran species.
- Understanding the distribution of this split rRNA can provide insights into evolutionary relationships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and distribution of split 5.8S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in various species of Diptera and Siphonaptera.
- To explore the evolutionary origins of the split 5.8S rRNA structure within these insect orders.
- To propose hypotheses regarding the evolution of 5.8S rRNA in relation to Dipteran phylogeny.
Main Methods:
- RNA extraction and analysis from multiple insect species.
- Comparative analysis of 5.8S rRNA structure across different taxa.
- Phylogenetic analysis to infer evolutionary relationships.
Main Results:
- Mosquitoes (Culicidae) and fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) exhibited a single, non-split 5.8S rRNA.
- Crane flies (Tipulidae), midges (Chironomidae), robber flies (Asilidae), house flies (Muscidae), fruit flies (Drosophilidae), and fungus gnats (Sciaridae) displayed a split 5.8S rRNA.
- The study identified specific species within Diptera that possess the split 5.8S rRNA structure.
Conclusions:
- The split 5.8S rRNA is not universally present in Diptera, with mosquitoes showing a conserved single structure.
- The distribution pattern suggests independent evolution or loss events of the split 5.8S rRNA.
- Three hypotheses are proposed to explain the evolutionary link between split 5.8S rRNA and Dipteran phylogeny.