Two 5S genes are expressed in chicken somatic cells

Abstract
Two 5S RNA species were detected in chicken cells. 5S I RNA has the nucieotide sequence of chicken 5S RNA previously published by Brownlee et al. (1) and 5S II RNA differs from 1t by 10 mutations. The secondary structure of both species 1s compatible with that proposed for other eukaryotic 5S RNAs. 5S II RNA represents 50–60% of 5S I RNA. Both species were found 1n total chicken liver and brain and were present in polysomes 1n the same relative proportions. Only one 5S RNA species could be detected 1n rat liver and HeLa cells. Chicken Is the first vertebrate described so far 1n which two 5S RNA genes are expressed 1n somatic cells.