Satellite DNA transcription in Diadromus pulchellus (Hymenoptera)

Previous studies have shown that the satellite DNAs in Hymenoptera account for 1-25% of the genome. They mainly correspond to a single family, or to s everal subfamilies having the same evolutionary origin. We have now showed that the satellite DNAs in the genomes of the hymenopterans Diadromus pulch ellus, Diadromus collaris, Eupelmus vuilletti and Eupelmus orientalis are t ranscribed in both males and females. Satellite DNA transcripts could only be extracted with NP-40/Urea, indicating that they are strongly associated with proteins. The satellite DNA in D. pulchellus was transcribed on the tw o DNA strands. The satellite DNA transcripts were single-stranded and not p olyadenylated in vivo. The transcripts were found in embryos, larvae and im agos stages. The transcripts detected included one major transcript (1.9 kb ) and several discrete smaller transcripts. The in vivo synthesis of these satellite DNA transcripts was explored by identifying their putative initia tion sites. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.