The number of ribosomal RNA genes in Mycoplasma capricolum

Abstract
We have examined the number of rRNA genes in Mycoplasma capricolum (KID) by hybridization of BglII-, EcoRI- and XbaI-digests of DNA to [3′-32P] 16S, 23S and 5S rRNAs according to the Southern procedure (1975). All the restriction gels gave two radioactive bands with three kinds of rRNA. Furthermore, band positions were indistinguishable from one another when 16S, 23S and 5S rRNAs were used as probes, indicating that each band contains sequences corresponding to the 3′-termini of 16S, 23S and 5S rRNAs. It is thus concluded that Mycoplasma capricolum chromosome carries at least two sets of genes for 16S, 23S and 5S rRNAs.