Identification of a novel class of tandemly repeated genes transcribed on lampbrush chromosomes of Pleurodeles waltlii

Electron microscope preparations of lampbrush chromosomes from oocytes of Pleurodeles waltlii have revealed a new class of tandemly repeated genes. These genes are highly active, as judged by the close spacing of nascent transcripts. They occur in clusters of greater than 100 copies and are transcribed in units containing roughly 940 base pairs of DNA that are separated by nontranscribed spacers of an estimated DNA content of 2,410 base pairs. The size and the pattern of arrangement of these transcription units can not be correlated with any of the repetitious genes so far described.