A novel family of mobile genetic elements is limited to the germline genome in Tetrahymena thermophila. Nucleic Acids Res 2002 Jun 01;30(11):2524-37
Date
05/30/2002Pubmed ID
12034842Pubmed Central ID
PMC117186DOI
10.1093/nar/30.11.2524Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0036606136 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 81 CitationsAbstract
In the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila, extensive DNA elimination is associated with differentiation of the somatic macronucleus from the germline micronucleus. This study describes the isolation and complete characterization of Tlr elements, a family of approximately 30 micronuclear DNA sequences that are efficiently eliminated from the developing macronucleus. The data indicate that Tlr elements are comprised of an approximately 22 kb internal region flanked by complex and variable termini. The Tlr internal region is highly conserved among family members and contains 15 open reading frames, some of which resemble genes encoded by transposons and viruses. The Tlr termini appear to be long inverted repeats consisting of (i) a variable region containing multiple direct repeats which differ in number and sequence from element to element and (ii) a conserved terminal 47 bp sequence. Taken together, these results suggest that Tlr elements comprise a novel family of mobile genetic elements that are confined to the Tetrahymena germline genome. Possible mechanisms of developmentally programmed Tlr elimination are discussed.
Author List
Wuitschick JD, Gershan JA, Lochowicz AJ, Li S, Karrer KMMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Amino Acid SequenceAnimals
Base Composition
Base Sequence
Blotting, Southern
Cell Nucleus
Conserved Sequence
DNA Transposable Elements
DNA, Protozoan
Genome, Protozoan
Genomic Library
Germ Cells
Germ-Line Mutation
Molecular Sequence Data
Multigene Family
Open Reading Frames
Protozoan Proteins
Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
Sequence Alignment
Tetrahymena thermophila
