The study of a rDNA replicator in Saccharomyces.

We have previously demonstrated that the loss of Rcp-CEN3, a centromeric plasmid containing yeast rDNA autonomously replicating sequences (ARS) is as high as around 50% per generation for most yeast strains. In this study we have attempted to elucidate mechanisms underlying the high mitotic instability of Rcp-CEN3. For this purpose a tandem duplication of a rDNA ARS was constructed in Rcp-CEN3. The new plasmid having two ARSs possesses a markedly higher mitotic stability as compared to a monoARS Rcp-CEN3. The mitotic stability of this centromere-containing plasmid which has two replicators corresponds to the calculated value for the mitotic stability of two monoARS plasmids Rcp-CEN3 in given cells. Genetic analysis has demonstrated that both plasmids having one or two ARSs are maintained in the single copy state. These results demonstrate that the mitotic instability of centromeric plasmid Rcp-CEN3 carrying a rDNA ARS is associated with the absence of stringent control of replication from the rDNA ARS. A possible mechanism of replication of the chromosomal rDNA repeats in yeast is discussed in the light of this data.