The cytochrome oxidase subunit I split gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: genetic and physical studies of the mtDNA segment encompassing the 'cytochrome b-homologous' intron.

We have constructed a refined genetic and physical map of 38 oxi3 mutations. With the help of the rho- clones derived from 'short' and 'long' genes, pairwise crosses between mutants, estimations of their reversion frequencies and analyses of mitochondrially synthesized proteins, we have characterized and localized several mutants in the exon A4 and in the intron aI4. We present genetic and physical evidence that in the 'long' gene the exon A5 is split into at least three quite distinct exons, A5-1, A5-2 and A5-3 where numerous mutations are localized. We suggest that a novel 56 Kd polypeptide, which accumulates in some cis-dominant oxi3- mutants results from the translation of the upstream exons and the downstream aI4 intron.