The processing of macronuclear DNA sequences during macronuclear development of the hypotrichous ciliate Stylonychia lemnae.

The organization of two macronuclear DNA sequences in the polytene chromosomes of the hypotrichous ciliate Stylonychia lemnae and their processing from the micronucleus via the polytene chromosome stage up to the macronucleus was analyzed. The overall organization of these sequences in the polytene chromosomes resembles that described for the micronucleus of other hypotrichous ciliates, i.e. they are interrupted by internal eliminated sequences and not associated with telomeric sequences. The spacer region between the genes is bordered by direct repeats and inverted repeats are found at the termini of macronuclear sequences and in the spacer region. The organization of these macronuclear DNA sequences in the micronucleus was analyzed by polymerase chain reactions. The results obtained show that in the sequences analyzed no DNA reorganization occurs during polytene chromosome formation.