The Use of Bacterial Plasmids in the Investigation of Genetic Recombination

1986 ◽  
pp. 101-121
Author(s):  
Amikam Cohen
Genetics ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 112 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-383
Author(s):  
B Charlesworth ◽  
C H Langley

ABSTRACT This paper examines the conditions under which self-regulated rates of transposition can evolve in populations of transposable elements infecting sexually reproducing hosts. Models of the evolution of both cis-acting regulation (transposition immunity) and trans-acting regulation (transposition repression) are analyzed. The potential selective advantage to regulation is assumed to be derived from the deleterious effects of mutations associated with the insertion of newly replicated elements. It is shown that both types of regulation can easily evolve in hosts with low rates of genetic recombination per generation, such as bacteria or bacterial plasmids. Conditions are much more restrictive in organisms with relatively free recombination. In haploids, the main selective force promoting regulation is the induction of lethal or sterile mutations by transposition; in diploids, a sufficiently high frequency of dominant lethal or sterile mutations associated with transpositions is required. Data from Drosophila and maize suggest that this requirement can sometimes be met. Coupling of regulatory effects across different families of elements would also aid the evolution of regulation. The selective advantages of restricting transposition to the germ line and of excising elements from somatic cells are discussed.


1985 ◽  
pp. 505-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amikam Cohen ◽  
Zipora Silberstein ◽  
Shimshon Broido ◽  
Avraham Laban

Author(s):  
E. H. Egelman ◽  
X. Yu

The RecA protein of E. coli has been shown to mediate genetic recombination, regulate its own synthesis, control the expression of other genes, act as a specific protease, form a helical polymer and have an ATPase activity, among other observed properties. The unusual filament formed by the RecA protein on DNA has not previously been shown to exist outside of bacteria. Within this filament, the 36 Å pitch of B-form DNA is extended to about 95 Å, the pitch of the RecA helix. We have now establishedthat similar nucleo-protein complexes are formed by bacteriophage and yeast proteins, and availableevidence suggests that this structure is universal across all of biology, including humans. Thus, understanding the function of the RecA protein will reveal basic mechanisms, in existence inall organisms, that are at the foundation of general genetic recombination and repair.Recombination at this moment is assuming an importance far greater than just pure biology. The association between chromosomal rearrangements and neoplasms has become stronger and stronger, and these rearrangements are most likely products of the recombinatory apparatus of the normal cell. Further, damage to DNA appears to be a major cause of cancer.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (03) ◽  
pp. 4902
Author(s):  
Afrin Nazli ◽  
Kamini Kumar*

Haworthia limifolia is a xerophytic plant belonging to the family Liliaceae and is indigenous to Africa. It is use extensively for its medicinal properties like antibacterial, antifungal properties and used for the treatment of sores, superficial burns, as a blood purifier and to promote pregnancy in women and cattles. In present investigation chromosomal behaviour of H. limifolia in meiosis was studied. In diplotene stage chiasmata was observed showing the possibilities of genetic recombination. Chromosome clumps were observed in diakinesis indicating sticky nature of chromosomes. Meiotic abnormalities like stickiness, precocious movement, formation of bridges and laggards were also reported in both meiosis I and II. A fairly high percentage of pollen sterility that is 73.41% was recorded resulting in failure of fruit formation. This plant could be designated as facultative apomict (Swanson, 1957) as the only means of reproduction found was asexual or vegetative.


Parasitology ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 118 (6) ◽  
pp. 541-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. E. COLLINS ◽  
B. A. ALLSOPP

We sequenced the rRNA genes and internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of several Theileria parva isolates in an attempt to distinguish between the causative agents of East coast fever and Corridor disease. The small subunit (SSU) and large subunit (LSU) rRNA genes from a cloned T. p. lawrencei parasite were sequenced; the former was identical to that of T. p. parva Muguga, and there were minor heterogeneities in the latter. The 5·8S gene sequences of 11 T. parva isolates were identical, but major differences were found in the ITS. Six characterization oligonucleotides were designed to hybridize within the variable ITS1 region; 93·5% of T. p. parva isolates examined were detected by probe TPP1 and 81·8% of T. p. lawrencei isolates were detected by TPL2 and/or TPL3a. There was no absolute distinction between T. p. parva and T. p. lawrencei and the former hybridized with fewer of the probes than did the latter. It therefore seems that a relatively homogenous subpopulation of T. parva has been selected in cattle from a more diverse gene pool in buffalo. The ITSs of both T. p. parva and T. p. lawrencei contained different combinations of identifiable sequence segments, resulting in a mosaic of segments in any one isolate, suggesting that the two populations undergo genetic recombination and that their gene pools are not completely separate.


Genetics ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 144 (2) ◽  
pp. 747-756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Sunnucks ◽  
Phillip R England ◽  
Andrea C Taylor ◽  
Dinah F Hales

Abstract Single-locus microsatellite variation correlated perfectly with chromosome number in Sitobion miscanthi aphids. The microsatellites were highly heterozygous, with up to 10 alleles per locus in this species. Despite this considerable allelic variation, only seven different S. miscanthi genotypes were discovered in 555 individuals collected from a wide range of locations, hosts and sampling periods. Relatedness between genotypes suggests only two successful colonizations of Australia. There was no evidence for genetic recombination in 555 S. miscanthi so the occurrence of recent sexual reproduction must be near zero. Thus diversification is by mutation and chromosomal rearrangement alone. Since the aphids showed no sexual recombination, microsatellites can mutate without meiosis. Five of seven microsatellite differences were a single repeat unit, and one larger jump is likely. The minimum numbers of changes between karyotypes corresponded roughly one-to-one with microsatellite allele changes, which suggests very rapid chromosomal evolution. A chromosomal fission occurred in a cultured line, and a previously unknown chromosomal race was detected. All 121 diverse S. near fragariae were heterozygous but revealed only one genotype. This species too must have a low rate of sexual reproduction and few colonizations of Australia.


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