The 5S rRNA gene in wall barley (Hordeum murinum L. sensu lato):: Sequence variation among repeat units and relationship to the Y haplome in the genus Hordeum (Poaceae: Triticeae)

The molecular diversity of the 5S rDNA units in 13 accessions of wall barley, which include Hordeum murinum, H. leporinum, and H. glaucum, is reported. Our analyses, based on 54 sequenced clones, indicate the presence of two sequence classes not previously seen in other barley species; namely, the long Y1 unit class and the short Y1 unit class. In addition, the accumulation of new sequence information has allowed us to refine previous groups. Using these new results, along with previously published work, we present a summary of all the unit classes described to date and potential correspondences between 5S rDNA unit classes and haplomes identified previously. In H. murinum, we found the long H1 and long X2 unit classes, and in one of six accessions referable to H. glaucum we found the unique short Y1 unit class. Our cladistic analyses, using orthologous sequences, provide support for the current model for the relationships among several species within the Triticeae.