The tef1 gene coding for translation elongation factor
EF1α was identified by a PCR-based approach using degenerate
oligonucleotides derived from conserved regions seen in alignments of other
EF1αs. The deduced amino acid sequence was
compared to other EF1αs. In Southern blot analyses no evidence for
a
second gene encoding EF1α in Schizophyllum commune was
detected. Abundant transcript levels were detected in Northern blot analyses.
The open reading frame is interrupted by seven small
introns ; however, the positions of these introns are not conserved between
the
homobasidiomycete Schizophyllum commune and the
heterobasidiomycete Puccinia graminis genes.