Evolutionary conservation of ribosomal protein mRNA sequences: application for expansion of corresponding cDNA and gene libraries

Cloned cDNAs, containing ribosomal protein sequences from mouse (five cDNAs) or Xenopus laevis (six cDNAs), were used to estimate the evolutionary conservation, from insects to mammals, of the corresponding mRNA sequences. Northern blot analysis reveals a variable degree of homology between these sequences in different eukaryotes. Thus, among the ribosomal protein cDNA clones utilized, some exhibit complete, others partial, and a few no interphyla cross-hybridization. Melting profile analysis was employed to quantitate this homology. It is proposed that for expansion of eukaryotic ribosomal cDNA and gene libraries, one can exploit the interspecies homology of the corresponding sequences. However, the diverse evolutionary conservation of individual ribosomal protein gene sequences should be taken into account.