Sequences of the coding and flanking regions of the large ribosomal subunit RNA gene of mosquito mitochondria

We have sequenced a 1.6 kbp region of the mosquito (Aedes albopictus) mitochondrial genome containing the large ribosomal subunit ("LSU") RNA gene, and have located the ends of the gene by S1 protection analysis and by comparison with RNA sequences. The gene is preceded by a tRNAval gene and followed by genes for tRNAIeuUAG (rather than tRNAleuUAA, as in mammalian mitochondria) and an extended reading frame homologous to mammalian URF1. It is approximately 1335 residues long and is very low (17%) in G + C. The 5' half is even lower in G + C (9%), and shows little apparent homology to other LSU RNA classes. The 3' half is relatively rich (26%) in G + C and has many stretches of homology to prokaryotic and mammalian mitochondrial LSU RNA.