Identification of gene encoding a putative RNA-helicase, homologous to SKI2, in chromosome VII of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have determined the nucleotide sequence of a segment of VII of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae contained in the cosmid clone pEGH101 for a total of 7 kbp. This sequence contains a large open reading frame (ORF) called G9365, coding for a protein of 1967 amino acids that shows a significant homology with the product of the SKI2 gene of S. cerevisiae and contains domains characteristics of RNA-helicases. The ORF is transcribed in vegetative cells but it is not essential for viability as demonstrated by gene disruption.