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Replication and transcription of eukaryotic DNA in Escherichia coli.

Fragments of amplified Xenopus laevis DNA, coding for 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA and generated by EcoRI restriction endonuclease, have been linked in vitro to the bacterial plasmid pSC101; and the recombinant molecular species have been introduced into E. coli by transformation. These recombinant plasmids, containing both eukaryotic and prokaryotic DNA, replicate stably in E. coli. RNA isolated from E. coli minicells harboring the plasmids hybridizes to amplified X. laevis rDNA.

Animals↗

Interspecific recombination of mitochondrial DNA molecules in hybrid somatic cells.

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in rodent-human hybrid somatic cells was studied in strains that contain nucleotide sequences from both parental mtDNAs. A test for linkage of rodent to human mtDNA was devised on the basis of the density and sequence differences between these DNAs. When a mixture of rodent and human mtDNAs was banded in a CsCl gradient and each fraction hybridized with a mixture of complementary [(3)H]RNA transcribed from human mtDNA and complementary [(32)P]RNA transcribed from rodent mtDNA, each DNA was detected as a distinct and separate band at its expected density by specific hybridization with its complementary RNA. In some of the hybrid cell strains, the mtDNA sequences derived from the two species did not separate in the CsCl gradients. This result is interpreted as evidence for linkage between sequences from the two parental mtDNAs. While the exact nature of the linkage and the structure of the molecules containing both types of sequences are not known, the evidence supports the conclusion that the linkage is realized by a covalent bond. An event leading to the covalent bonding of these different sequences may be described as recombination. Among 18 hybrid cell strains examined, 13 contained large proportions of recombinant molecules. These molecules were found in both mouse-human and rat-human strains, and in strains containing more human or more rodent mtDNA sequences.

Animals↗

Replication of colicin E1 plasmid DNA in minicells from a unique replication initiation site.

Replicating DNA molecules of the colicin E1 plasmid isolated from minicells are cleaved at a single site by R1 restriction endonuclease (EcoR1). Electron microscopic measurements of the replicating molecules treated with the endonuclease indicate that (a) replication is initiated at a site between 14% and 20% of the distance from the EcoR1 endonuclease cleavage site; and (b) extensive replication of most molecules occurs in one direction from the initiation site, although a limited amount of replication in the opposite direction may occur. Single-stranded regions at one or both replication forks, involving one or both DNA strands, can be frequently found in replicating molecules.

Colicins↗

Replication of colicin E1 plasmid DNA in cell extracts. Origin and direction of replication.

The structures of molecules of colicin E1 plasmid DNA that were in the process of being replicated in vitro were examined electron microscopically. Circular molecules containing a loop of approximately 7% of the length of the molecules were the major class of replicating molecules. The location of the loop was determined by treating the molecules with restriction endonuclease EcoR1, which introduced one unique double-strand break in the colicin E1 plasmid DNA molecules. The loops had a specific location with two branch points at approximately 17 and 24% of the molecular length from the endonuclease-sensitive site. Molecules with a larger loop were observed with a preparation labeled with 5-bromodeoxyuridine and enriched for these molecules. One of the branch points in these molecules was located at approximately 17% of the molecular length from the endonuclease-sensitive site independent of the size of the loops. These results indicate that the origin of replication of the plasmid DNA is located within the small loop and the replication proceeds unidirectionally. The molecules that had completed a round of replication had the monomeric twisted circular structure.

Bromodeoxyuridine↗

The thermosensitive lesion in the replication of the drug resistance factor, Rts1.

The DNA of the thermosensitive R factor, Rts1, has been examined by the technique of sedimentation in alkaline sucrose density gradients. Rts1 DNA was found as closed covalent circles in only a few copies per cell in an Escherichia coli host at the permissive temperature. Rts1 DNA appears to be synthesized at the nonpermissive temperature, but was not found as closed covalent circles. However, circular DNA could be recovered upon shift down to the permissive temperature. The large number of plasmid-negative cells which accumulate after prolonged culture at non-permissive temperature may be due to a strong selective pressure favoring the growth of rare R(-) segregants.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗

Fusion and compatibility of camphor and octane plasmids in Pseudomonas.

The octane (OCT) plasmid in Pseudomonas putida derived from the omega-hydroxylase-carrying strain of Coon and coworkers is transferable to the camphor (CAM) plasmid-bearing strain by conjugation or by transduction. While the majority of the Cam (+)Oct(+) exconjugants segregate Cam(+) or Oct(+) cells, exconjugants with stable Cam (+)Oct(+) phenotype (CAM-OCT) can be detected at a low frequency. The transductants are all of the CAM-OCT phenotype. In the stable Cam (+)Oct(+) strains, the OCT plasmid resembles the CAM plasmid with respect to curing by mitomycin C, transfer in conjugation, and reaction to ts (temperature-sensitive) mutation specifically affecting CAM plasmid replication. Therefore, it is suggested that certain regions of homology exist between the CAM and OCT plasmids that enable them to recombine to form a single plasmid, and to overcome the incompatibility barrier that prevents their coexisting.

Alkanes↗

Free ribosomal RNA genes in the macronucleus of Tetrahymena.

In the macronucleus of the ciliated protozoan, Tetrahymena pyriformis GL, the genes coding for 17S and 25S rRNA exist as free, extrachromosomal molecules. About 90% of the molecules are linear with a molecular weight of 12.6 x 10(6). Most of the remainder are circles of the same size, or lariats (circles with tails). A few dimers and oligomers are found. The extrachromosomal rDNA of Tetrahymena represents a kind of gene amplification that may be common among primitive eukaryotes.

Animals↗

Dissociation and interaction of individual components of a degradative plasmid aggregate in Pseudomonas.

The transfer of the OCT plasmid from Pseudomonas oleovorans to Pseudomonas putida strain PpGl results in the acquisition of three independent replicons: OCT, factor K, and the MER plasmid. OCT is a nontransmissible plasmid harboring genes that code for the enzymes responsible for the degradation of n-octane. Factor K is a transfer plasmid capable of mobilizing OCT as well as chromosomal genes but incapable of enhancing transfer frequencies of other transmissible plasmids such as CAM, SAL, or RP-1. MER is a self-transmissible plasmid which can confer resistance to high concentrations of mercury salts. While OCT and MER are incompatible with CAM, factor K is compatible with it. Transmissible plasmids such as SAL, CAM, MER, or RP-1 cannot mobilize OCT to any significant extent, and exert strong repression on factor K-mediated transfer of chromosomal genes.

Alkanes↗

Plasmid ColEl as a molecular vehicle for cloning and amplification of DNA.

DNA fragments obtained from EcoRI endonuclease digestion of bacteriophage varphi80pt190 (trp(+)) and the plasmid ColE1 were covalently joined with polynucleotide ligase. Transformation of Escherichia coli trp(-) strains to tryptophan independence with the recombined DNA selected for reconstituted ColE1 plasmids containing the tryptophan operon and the varphi80 immunity region. Similarly, an EcoRI endonuclease generated fragment of plasmid pSC105 DNA containing the genetic determinant of kanamycin resistance was inserted into the ColE1 plasmid and recovered in E. coli. The plasmids containing the trp operon (ColE1-trp) and the kanamycin resistance gene were maintained under logarithmic growth conditions at a level of 25-30 copies per cell and accumulate to the extent of several hundred copies per cell in the presence of chloramphenicol. Cells carrying the ColE1-trp plasmid determined the production of highly elevated levels of trp operon-specific mRNA and tryptophan biosynthetic enzymes.

Chloramphenicol↗

Biochemical construction and selection of hybrid plasmids containing specific segments of the Escherichia coli genome.

Using a poly(dA-dT) "connector" method, a population of annealed hybrid circular DNAs was constructed in vitro; each hybrid DNA circle containing one full-length molecule of poly(dT)-tailed DNA from E1 colicinogenic factor (Col E1) fragmented by EcoRI endonuclease annealed to any one of a collection of poly(dA)-tailed linear DNA fragments of the entire E. coli genome. This annealed, but unligated, hybrid DNA was used to transform several different auxotrophic mutants of E. coli, and by direct selection, bacterial clones were isolated which contained specific hybrid plasmids. In this manner, bacterial strains containing Col E1 hybrid plasmids carrying the entire tryptophan operon or the arabinsoe and leucine operons were isolated. The methods described should allow the molecular cloning of any portion of the E. coli genome by selection from a pool of DNA molecules containing at least several hundred different hybrids representing the entire bacterial genome.

Arabinose↗

Plasmid interactions in Staphylococcus aureus: nonadditivity of compatible plasmid DNA pools.

Six different Staphylococcus aureus plasmids have been examined for compatibility relationships and their intracellular DNA pools have been measured singly and in various combinations. All six were mutually compatible, but contrary to expectation, their intracellular DNA pools were not additive; instead, there appeared to be a maximum level of extrachromosomal DNA that could be supported by the cell, and the plasmids studied approached this level individually as well as in varous combinations. One exception was encountered: a plasmid encoding kanamycin/neomycin resistance was present in a small but constant number of copies regardless of the presence of other plasmids.

DNA, Bacterial↗

Nature of R-factor replication in the presence of chloramphenicol.

Covalently closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid molecules of RSF1030, a nonconjugative R-factor, initiate and complete rounds of semiconservative replication in the absence of protein synthesis long after the bacterial chromosome has ceased its replication. RSF1030 replication under these conditions is sensitive to the inhibitor of ribonucleic acid synthesis, rifampicin. The product of this replication, a covalently closed DNA molecule, shows, in contrast to those molecules produced during the replication in a logarithmically growing culture of Escherichia coli, a transition to the open circular form upon treatment with ribonucleases of alkali. Analysis of the product resulting from alkali treatment indicates that there is a single break in one strand of the original circular duplex. This alkali-sensitive site occurs with equal probability in either of the complementary strands. These results are interpreted as a requirement for an RNA primer for the initiation of RSF1030 DNA synthesis and as showing that its removal from the covalently closed molecule is inhibited in the absence of protein synthesis.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Replication of colicin E1 plasmid DNA added to cell extracts.

Closed-circular DNA of colicin E1 plasmid can undergo a round of semiconservative replication when added to an extract of Escherichia coli. Extracts of cells that do not carry the plasmid are able to perform complete replication of the plasmid. Replication requires de novo RNA synthesis but not protein synthesis.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Replicative intermediates of colicin E1 plasmid DNA in minicells.

Pulse-labeled colicin E1 plasmid (Col E1) DNA in minicells was examined to characterize replicating molecules. Replication of Col E1 DNA principally occurred in covalently closed molecules and involved the synthesis of variable length single-stranded DNA fragments that were dissociable from the template DNA and ultimately incorporated into the completely replicated molecules. RNA was found to be associated with some of these newly synthesized fragments. Replicating molecules containing different size displacement loops were observed by electron microscopy.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗

Detection of carcinogens as mutagens: bacterial tester strains with R factor plasmids.

We described previously a simple test on petri plates for detecting chemical carcinogens as mutagens, using an especially sensitive set of bacterial strains to detect mutagenic acitivty and a mammalian liver extract for carcinogen activity. We now extend the utility of the method by introducing two new bacterial strains which can detect with great sensitivity many carcinogens which we did not detect before or detected with less sensitivity. Among these carcinogens are aflatoxin B-1, sterigmatocystin, benzyl chloride, benzo[a]-pyrene, 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene, 1'-acetoxysafrole, and the nitrofuran food additive furylfuramide (AF-2). The new strains TA100 and TA98 contain an R factor plasmid, pKM101, in our standard tester strains TA1535 and TA1538. The R factor increases mutagenesis with certain mutagens, but not others. We present evidence that the mutagens that become more effective work through an error-prone recombinational repair.

Biological Assay↗

Site specific recA--independent recombination between bacterial plasmids: involvement of palindromes at the recombinational loci.

A recA-independent recombinational event is described which results in insertion of an entire plasmid genome at a unique site of another plasmid, and coincident excision of a precisely defined DNA segment originally present at the point of the insertion. The resulting recombinant molecules subsequently can undergo site-specific translocation of their component segments or inversion of their original DNA sequence orientation. The events observed entail nonreciprocal exchange of genetic material, and involve a discrete nucleotide sequences that is duplicated in rotationally symmetrical reverse orientation on plasmid DNA (i.e., inverted repeat; palindrome).

Base Sequence↗

Plasmid-determined tetracycline resistance in Streptococcus faecalis: evidence for gene amplification during growth in presence of tetracycline.

The tetracycline (TG)-resistant Streptococcus faecalis strain DS-5Cl harbors two plasmids designated alpha and gamma with molecular masses of approximately 6 and 35 million daltons, respectively. TC-sensitive variants were derived by storing cells at 45 degrees for 2-3 weeks. Analysis of covalently closed circular DNA from five such variants (derived independently) revealed that in each variant the alpha-plasmid, which normally sediments at 28 S (supercoiled) in a sucrose density gradient, was replaced by a 22S substance. Growth of DS-5Cl in the presence of 150 mug/ml of TC (minimum inhibitory concentration is 250 mug/ml in liquid broth) for a prolonged period of time (50-60 generations) resulted in the disappearance of 28S DNA and the appearance of a heterogeneous covalently-closed circular DNA sedimenting at about 40-48 S. This phenomenon was accompanied by an increase in the level of bacterial TC-resistance, whereby tells were subsequently grown in the absence of TC for 70-80 generations, the heterogeneous DNA disappeared and a typical 28S alpha-plasmid reappeared. The cells also became less resistant to TC, i.e., the minimum inhibitory concentration returned to 250 mug/ml. These data suggest that bacterial growth in the presence of TC results in a reversible gene amplification with respect to a TC-resistant determinant residing on the alpha-plasmid.

Cell Division↗

Properties of cytoplasmic mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with specific lesions in cytochrome oxidase.

Two mutants with specific defects in cytochrome c oxidase (ferrocytochrome c:oxygen oxidoreductase; EC 1.9.3.1) have been isolated from cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae exposed to the mutagens ethyl-methane sulfonate and Mn++. The mutations have been shown to be extranuclear by two criteria. The phenotype persists in diploids formed by a cross with a p-o strain of yeast of the opposite mating type. Tetrad analysis indicates a non-Mendelian segregation (4:0 and 0:4) of the mutations. Both mutants show a total absence of cytochrome oxidase activity and of spectral cytochromes a and as. One of the mutants has been shown to be missing a polypeptide synthesized by mitochondria. The migration of this protein on polyacrylamide gels corresponds to the highest-molecular-weight subunit of cytochrome oxidase.

Diploidy↗