VARIABILITY OF THE 5'-END OF THE LARGE SUBUNIT RDNA AND PRESENCE OF ANEW SHORT CLASS OF RIBOSOMAL-RNA IN RHIZOBIACEAE

A highly variable region of DNA was found between positions 115 and 38 8 (Escherichia coli numeration) of the large subunit (ls) rRNA genes o f 55 rhizobial and agrobacterial strains. In each case this heterogene ity was accompanied by the presence of a new rRNA species approximatel y 130 bp long. This novel rRNA species corresponded to the 5'-end of t he ls rRNA genes. An additional rRNA processing site was located in th e central region of the remaining ls rRNA of many of the Rhizobium leg uminosarum and Rh, etli strains, and in all of the agrobacteria studie d, excepting the type strain of Agrobacterium vitis NCPPB 3554 and Agr obacterium sp. strain ChAg4.