Characterization of the tRNA^Trp genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Authors

Audrey L. Atkin, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
R. W. Henry, University of Alberta
K. L. Roy, University of Alberta
J. B. Bell, University of Alberta

Date of this Version

1992

Citation

Published in Gene 119:1 (September 21, 1992), pp. 57–63

Comments

Copyright © 1992 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. Used by permission.

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to examine the tRNA^Trp-encoding genes (tRNA^Trp) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to gain insight as to why tRNATrp amber suppressors, isolated by conventional genetic techniques, have not been reported. The results herein indicate that the haploid yeast genome contains six tRNA^Trp genes which map to five or six chromosomes. Not only do the six genes have identical coding sequences but their introns are also identical. Gene replacement experiments indicate that five copies of tRNA^Trp are sufficient for cell viability. Thus, mutation of one tRNA^Trp gene to a suppressor in vivo, lowering the functional number of tRNA^Trp genes, would not be expected to be lethal.