Multiple alpha- and beta-tubulin genes in Chlamydomonas and regulation of tubulin mRNA levels after deflagellation.

We constructed and characterized recombinant cDNA clones containing alpha- and beta-tubulin DNA sequences. The inserted DNA was determined to code for alpha- and beta-tubulin by positive hybridization-selection. The selected mRNA was translated in vitro, and the translation products were shown to be alpha- or beta-tubulin by comigration with flagellar alpha- and beta-tubulin on one- and two-dimensional gels and by immunoprecipitation with antibodies specific for alpha- and beta-tubulin. Hybridization of the cloned tubulin probes with Chlamydomonas DNA indicated that there are at least two genes each for alpha- and beta-tubulin in this organism. No evidence of cross-hybridization between alpha- and beta-tubulin DNA sequences was found. Because previous experiments had shown that tubulin synthesis was stimulated in response to flagellar amputation, the tubulin clones were used to analyze the levels of tubulin sequences in RNA from cells before and after deflagellation. Hybridization of the tubulin cDNA probes with total or polyadenylated RNA indicated that tubulin sequences in RNA increased within 8 min following deflagellation, reached maximal levels by 50 min and began to decrease by 80 min after deflagellation. One hybridization band was detected with use of the beta-tubulin probe, but RNA in two size classes hybridized to the alpha-tubulin probe.