Cloning and Sequencing of Fragments of RNA Polymerase β-Subunit Genes from Representatives of Baikal Picoplankton

Fragments of the RNA polymerase β-subunit genes from representatives of picoplankton of Lake Baikal were cloned using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the resulting recombinant clones were sequenced. An analysis of 93 clones revealed 40 different sequences. A comparison of these nucleotide sequences and the corresponding amino acid sequences deduced with their homologues from databanks confirmed the high conservation of the RNA polymerase β-subunit region involved in the formation of the enzyme active site.