Nucleotide sequence of the 5S ribosomal RNA gene repeat of Trypanosoma brucei

The 750 base pair tandem repeat specifying the 5S ribosomal RNA of Trypanosoma brucei brucei has been cloned and four independent clones sequenced to completion. The repeat specifies only a single 5S rRNA and is unusually long when compared with other 5S gene repeats. The sequenced copies contain a number of sequence polymorphisms similar to those seen in the ribosomal genes of other organisms. By comparison with the consensus sequence for RNA polymerase III promoters ('internal control regions') a possible 'internal control region' for RNA polymerase III can be located in the predicted position within the 5S ribosomal RNA sequence.