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P Karlovsky

Publications and source records attributed to P Karlovsky.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Preparation and purification of DNA from insects for AFLP analysis.

Analysis of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) has the potential to become a powerful new DNA fingerprinting technique for studying genetic relationships and genetic diversity in arthropods. Since DNA of high quality is a crucial prerequisite for AFLP analysis we evaluated the applicability of six protocols (one fast and four complex methods with phenol-chloroform treatments as well as one CTAB-based method) for extracting DNA from insect material and three additional DNA purification steps. The most rapid DNA isolation method did not produce DNA suitable for AFLP analysis. Among four complex methods tested, two protocols resulted in comparatively low yields of DNA that was therefore not used as template for AFLP analysis. The other two complex methods with phenol treatments and a CTAB-based DNA extraction protocol provided DNA suitable for AFLP assay. An additional purification of the DNA using spermine precipitation revealed a few extra bands in an AFLP gel that were masked in unpurified DNA. Therefore spermine precipitation is recommended for AFLP templates.

Animals

Similarities in Restriction Fragment Patterns of Mitochondrial DNAs of PhytophthoraSpecies Strongly Depend on the Restriction Enzyme Used Due to Heterogeneous Base Distribution and Sequence Conservation

Mitochondrial DNAs of six morphologically different Phytophthora species were digested with 15 restriction enzymes. The numbers of restriction fragments obtained differed considerably from those theoretically expected for random base distribution. Enzymes with relatively many G and C in their recognition sequences produced significantly larger numbers of fragments. Moreover, fragments generated by most of these enzymes were more often shared by two or more species than those from enzymes with more A and T in their recognition sequence. It is concluded that base distribution in mitochondrial DNA of Phytophthora is heterogeneous,AT-rich stretches occurring scattered over the mitochondrial genome and GC-rich regions present in conserved sequences, presumably genes. A practical consequence for taxonomic RFLP studies is that optimal enzymes can be selected, depending on the desired level of resolution.

Journal Article

Genetic code and phylogenetic origin of oomycetous mitochondria.

We sequenced the 3'-terminal part of the COX3 gene encoding cytochrome c oxidase subunit 3 from mitochondria of Phytophthora parasitica (phylum Oomycota, kingdom Protoctista). Comparison of the sequence with known COX3 genes revealed that UGG is used as a tryptophan codon in contrast to UGA in the mitochondrial codes of most organisms other than green plants. A very high AT mutation pressure operates on the mitochondrial genome of Phytophthora, as revealed by codon usage and by A+T content of noncoding regions, which seems paradoxical because AT pressure causes tryptophan codon reassignment from UGG to UGA in mitochondria of most species. The genetic code and other data suggest that mitochondria of Oomycota share a direct common ancestor with mitochondria of plants and that mitochondria of the ancestor of Planta and Oomycota were acquired in a second endosymbiotic event, which occurred later than the acquisition of mitochondria by other eukaryotes.

Amino Acid Sequence

The TRP1 gene of Phytophthora parasitica encoding indole-3-glycerolphosphate synthase-N-(5'-phosphoribosyl)anthranilate isomerase: structure and evolutionary distance from homologous fungal genes.

The TRP1 gene was isolated from the genome of Phytophthora parasitica. It encodes bifunctional enzyme of the tryptophan biosynthetic pathway indole-3-glycerolphosphate synthase-N-(5'-phosphoribosyl)anthranilate isomerase (IGPS-PRAI). The gene was localized and sequenced using random in vitro insertions of omega interposon. The domain structure of the protein product was found to be similar to that of enteric bacteria but different from the structure of homologous enzymes in fungi. Two introns in the IGPS domain were found. This is unique in eukaryotic IGPS-encoding genes so far sequenced. Comparative analysis of the primary structure of IGPS and PRAI domains [neighbor-joining method of Saitou and Nei, Mol. Biol. Evol. 44 (1987) 406-425] confirmed a large phylogenetic distance of TRP1 from corresponding fungal genes. In the resulting distance tree Phytophthora sequences are located outside of the cluster which encompasses all known homologous proteins from fungi indicating that the lineage of oomycetes took a separate course of development before speciation within the fungal line of descent began. Two of the oligopeptide insertions engineered into the F domain of the protein product did not abolish the enzymatic activity of the protein.

Amino Acid Sequence

Tandem arrangement of tRNA(Asp)-encoding genes in Phytophthora spp.

We have cloned a region of repetitive DNA from the phytopathogenic fungus, Phytophthora parasitica. The cloned region consists of 17 highly homologous units arranged in tandem. The consensus sequence is 562 bp long and carries the information for a tRNA(Asp). All sequence motifs required for efficient RNA polymerase III transcription are present, and the tRNA derived from the nucleotide sequence is able to form a complete cloverleaf structure with high homology to previously characterized tRNA(Asp) molecules. The isolated tRNA(Asp) gene cluster is located at a distance of 20 kb from the TRP1 gene of P. parasitica. It comprises about 0.1% of the total genomic DNA. Similar clusters were detected in four other Phytophthora species.

Base Sequence

Buoyant density of DNA-Hoechst 33258 (bisbenzimide) complexes in CsCl gradients: Hoechst 33258 binds to single AT base pairs.

Buoyant density of DNA in CsCl gradients with Hoechst 33258 (bisbenzimide) was investigated as a function of guanine plus cytosine content of the DNA (%GC; in mole percent). A formula for calculating %GC from the refractive index (nD) of the isopycnic CsCl/Hoechst 33258 solution over the range of 0-75 %GC was established: %GC = 351762.28 X nD - 123778.66 X nD2 - 249789.47 (the coefficients must not be rounded off). The shape of this curve indicates that under these conditions, in contrast to dilute buffers, Hoechst 33258 binds to single AT base pairs on DNA. Resolution of DNA bands in CsCl/Hoechst 33258 gradients is 1.6 to 2.1 times better than comparative CsCl gradients without the dye. Potential application to %GC determination is discussed.

Adenosine

Protonated triplex DNA in E. coli cells as detected by chemical probing.

The triplex structure in vitro is well established; however, no direct evidence has been available concerning its existence in the cell. Using the direct chemical probing here we show that the triplex H structure can exist in E. coli cells at acidic intracellular pH values; this structure differs in some details from that observed in vitro.

Base Sequence

Misuse of PCR.

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Cloning, Molecular