Cloned single repeating units of 5S DNA direct accurate transcription of 5S RNA when injected into Xenopus oocytes.

Single and multiple repeating units of three types of Xenopus 5S DNA recombined with the plasmid pMB9 serve as templates for the accurate synthesis of 5S RNA after their injection into Xenopus laevis oocyte nuclei. All 15 cloned single repeating units of X. laevis oocyte 5S DNA that were tested supported 5S RNA synthesis. Three cloned fragments of X. borealis oocyte 5S DNA and one cloned single repeating unit of X. borealis somatic 5S DNA were templates for 5S RNA synthesis. We conclude that the majority of repeating units of 5S DNA in these multigene families contain the information for accurate initiation and termination of 5S RNA synthesis. The ability of this system to detect sequence changes that affect transcription is demonstrated.