Free Ribosomal RNA Genes in the Macronucleus of Tetrahymena

In the macronucleus of the ciliated protozoan, Tetrahymena pyriformis GL, the genes coding for 17S and 25S rRNA exist as free, extrachromosomal molecules. About 90% of the molecules are linear with a molecular weight of 12.6 x 10(6). Most of the remainder are circles of the same size, or lariats (circles with tails). A few dimers and oligomers are found. The extrachromosomal rDNA of Tetrahymena represents a kind of gene amplification that may be common among primitive eukaryotes.