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CFE-1, a novel plasmid-encoded AmpC beta-lactamase with an ampR gene originating from Citrobacter freundii.

A clinical isolate of Escherichia coli from a patient in Japan, isolate KU6400, was found to produce a plasmid-encoded beta-lactamase that conferred resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins and cephamycins. Resistance arising from production of a beta-lactamase could be transferred by either conjugation or transformation with plasmid pKU601 into E. coli ML4947. The substrate and inhibition profiles of this enzyme resembled those of the AmpC beta-lactamase. The resistance gene of pKU601, which was cloned and expressed in E. coli, proved to contain an open reading frame showing 99.8% DNA sequence identity with the ampC gene of Citrobacter freundii GC3. DNA sequence analysis also identified a gene upstream of ampC whose sequence was 99.0% identical to the ampR gene from C. freundii GC3. In addition, a fumarate operon (frdABCD) and an outer membrane lipoprotein (blc) surrounding the ampR-ampC genes in C. freundii were identified, and insertion sequence (IS26) elements were observed on both sides of the sequences identified (forming an IS26 composite transposon); these results confirm the evidence of the translocation of a beta-lactamase-associated gene region from the chromosome to a plasmid. Finally, we describe a novel plasmid-encoded AmpC beta-lactamase, CFE-1, with an ampR gene derived from C. freundii.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Clonal analysis of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates carrying or lacking biofilm-mediating genes by multilocus sequence typing.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is part of the normal microflora of the human skin but is also a leading cause of device-associated infections in critically ill patients. Commensal and clinical S. epidermidis isolates differ in their ability to form biofilms on medical devices; the synthesis of biofilms is mediated by the icaADBC operon. Currently, the epidemiological relatedness between ica-positive and -negative isolates is not known; neither is it known whether the ica genes can spread to biofilm-negative strains through horizontal gene transfer. In this study, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was employed for the clonal analysis of 118 S. epidermidis ica-positive and -negative strains. MLST revealed that the majority of ica-positive and -negative strains were closely related and formed a single clonal complex. Within this complex one sequence type (ST27) was identified which contained exclusively ica-positive isolates and represented the majority of clinical strains tested. ST27 and related ica-positive clones carried different SCCmec cassettes (conferring methicillin resistance) and the insertion sequence IS256. The findings suggest that the S. epidermidis infections analyzed in this report are mainly caused by a single clone (ST27) which occurs preferentially in hospitals and differs from clones in the community. It is hypothesized that the successful establishment of ST27 within nosocomial environments has been facilitated by the presence of genes encoding biofilm and resistance traits.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

The SRY high-mobility-group box recognizes DNA by partial intercalation in the minor groove: a topological mechanism of sequence specificity.

SRY, a putative transcription factor encoded by the sex-determining region of the human Y chromosome, regulates a genetic switch in male development. Impairment of this switch leads to intersex abnormalities of the newborn and is observed in association with mutations in the SRY DNA-binding domain [the high-mobility-group (HMG) box]. Here we show that the SRY HMG box exhibits a novel mechanism of DNA recognition: partial intercalation of a nonpolar side chain in the DNA minor groove. Base stacking (but not base pairing) is interrupted at the site of insertion. Sequence specificity reflects topological requirements of partial intercalation rather than direct readout of base-specific functional groups. Our results predict that the SRY HMG box inserts an alpha-helix into a widened minor groove at the center of a sharp DNA bend. A similar mechanism may underlie binding of SRY and homologous HMG proteins to four-way junctions (Holliday intermediates) and other noncanonical DNA structures.

Base Composition↗

Genetic structure, function and regulation of the transposable element IS21.

The IncP plasmid R68.45 and other plasmids carrying tandem repeats of the insertion sequence IS21 [= (IS21)2] produce replicon fusions via transposition at high frequencies in Escherichia coli and other gram-negative bacteria, whereas plasmids with a single IS21 copy, e.g. R68, give replicon fusions rarely. The 2131 bp nucleotide sequence of IS21 was determined; at the ends there were 11 bp inverted repeats with one mismatch. Two adjacent open reading frames, istA and istB, were located on one DNA strand of IS21. In E. coli maxicells, polypeptides of 46 kDa (the istA gene product) and 30 kDa (the istB gene product) were expressed by (IS21)2 plasmids, but not by IS21 plasmids. Genetic analysis of (IS21)2 plasmids indicates that the IS21-IS21 junctions form a promoter, which initiates transcription of the istAB operon in one of the two IS21 elements. A single IS21 element fused to an inducible external tac promoter expressed both proteins after induction, but did not promote effective replicon fusion, unless an IS21-IS21 junction (the preferred site for IS21 transposase action) was also present on the plasmid carrying the tac-IS21 construct. The sequences located between the IS21 elements in (IS21)2, 3 bp in R68.45 or 2 bp in pME28, were not recovered in the replicon fusion products. Homologous recombination between the directly oriented IS21 elements in the fusion products led to plasmids with a single IS21 insertion. Analysis of the latter showed that IS21 had a low, but not totally random specificity of insertion and created target duplications of 4 bp (occasionally 5 bp).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural analysis of repetitive DNA sequences in the goat growth hormone gene region.

Two clones that contain goat growth hormone (gGH) genes were isolated from goat genomic library using goat growth hormone cDNA as a probe. One clone CgGH contained gGH1 gene, and another clone, EgGH, contained gGH2 and gGH3 genes. The clone EgGH contained 491 bp inserted sequence, just upstream of the gGH3 gene, which was not present in the clone CgGH. From the sequencing data of the flanking regions of these gGH genes, short interspersed repetitive sequences (SINES) were found. Four SINES's existed in the CgGH clone and eight SINES's existed in the EgGH clone. The number of the repetitive DNA sequences in the goat genome was estimated about 10(2) copies from the analysis of the reassociation rate. As the number of gGH genes (gGH1, gGH2, and gGH3) per genome was different among individual goats, DNA fragments containing gGH1 gene, and that containing gGH2 and gGH3 genes, were estimated to be allelic on the goat chromosome.

Animals↗

Interaction in vitro of type III intermediate filament proteins with triplex DNA.

As previously shown, type III intermediate filaments (IFs) select from a mixture of linear mouse genomic DNA fragments mobile and repetitive, recombinogenic sequences that have also been identified in SDS-stable crosslinkage products of vimentin and DNA isolated from intact fibroblasts. Because these sequences also included homopurine.homopyrimidine (Pu.Py) tracts known to adopt triple-helical conformation under superhelical tension, and because IF proteins are single-stranded (ss) and supercoiled DNA-binding proteins, it was of interest whether they have a particular affinity for triplex DNA. To substantiate this, IF-selected DNA fragments harboring a (Pu.Py) segment and synthetic d(GA)(n) microsatellites were inserted into a vector plasmid and the constructs analyzed for their capacity to interact with IF proteins. Band shift assays revealed a substantially higher affinity of the IF proteins for the insert-containing plasmids than for the empty vector, with an activity decreasing in the order of vimentin > glial fibrillary acidic protein > desmin. In addition, footprint analyses performed with S1 nuclease, KMnO(4), and OsO(4)/bipyridine showed that the (Pu.Py) inserts had adopted triplex conformation under the superhelical strain of the plasmids, and that the IF proteins protected the triple-helical insert sequences from nucleolytic cleavage and chemical modification. All these activities were largely reduced in extent when analyzed on linearized plasmid DNAs. Because intramolecular triplexes (H-DNA) expose single-stranded loops, and the prokaryotic ssDNA-binding proteins g5p and g32p also protected at least the Pu-strand of the (Pu.Py) inserts from nucleolytic degradation, it seemed likely that the IF proteins take advantage of their ssDNA-binding activity in interacting with H-DNA. However, in contrast to g5p and E. coli SSB, they produced no clear band shifts with single-stranded d(GA)(20) and d(TC)(20), so that the interactions rather appear to occur via the duplex-triplex and triplex-loop junctions of H-DNA. On the other hand, the IF proteins, and also g32p, promoted the formation of intermolecular triplexes from the duplex d[A(GA)(20).(TC)(20)T] and d(GA)(20) and d(TC)(20) single strands, with preference of the Py (Pu.Py) triplex motif, substantiating an affinity of the proteins for the triplex structure as such. This triplex-stabilizing effect of IF proteins also applies to the H-DNA of (Pu.Py) insert-containing plasmids, as demonstrated by the preservation of intramolecular triplex-vimentin complexes upon linearization of their constituent supercoiled DNAs, in contrast to poor complex formation from free, linearized plasmid DNA and vimentin. Considering that (Pu.Py) sequences are found near MAR/replication origins, in upstream enhancer and promoter regions of genes, and in recombination hot spots, these results might point to roles of IF proteins in DNA replication, transcription, recombination, and repair.

Animals↗

The superantigen gene ypm is located in an unstable chromosomal locus of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis produces YPM (Y. pseudotuberculosis-derived mitogen), a superantigenic toxin that exacerbates the virulence of the bacterium in vivo. To date, three alleles of the superantigen gene (ypmA, ypmB, and ypmC) have been described. These genes are not found in all Y. pseudotuberculosis strains and have a low GC content, suggesting their location on mobile genetic elements. To elucidate this question, the genetic environment of the superantigen-encoding genes was characterized and 11 open reading frames (ORFs) were defined. Sequence analysis revealed that the ypm genes were not associated with plasmids, phages, transposons, or pathogenicity islands and that the superantigen genes were always located in the chromosome between ORF3 and ORF4. Nonsuperantigenic strains exhibited the same genetic organization of the locus but lacked the ypm gene between ORF3 and ORF4. A new insertion sequence, designated IS1398, which displays features of the Tn3 family, was characterized downstream of the ypmA and ypmC genes. A 13.3-kb region containing the ypm genes was not found in the genome of Y. pestis (CO92 and KIM 5 strains). We experimentally induced deletion of the ypm gene from a superantigen-expressing Y. pseudotuberculosis: using the association of aph(3')-IIIa and sacB genes, we demonstrated that when these reporter genes were present in the ypm locus, deletion of these genes was about 250 times more frequent than when they were located in another region of the Y. pseudotuberculosis chromosome. These results indicate that unlike other superantigenic toxin genes, the Yersinia ypm genes are not associated with mobile genetic elements but are inserted in an unstable locus of the genome.

Alleles↗

Purification of Moloney murine leukemia virus chromatin from infected cells by an affinity method.

Our goal was to develop a system to study proteins that associate in vivo with the Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV) enhancer elements by the isolation of intact proviral chromatin. The M-MuLV long terminal repeats (LTRs) contain tandemly repeated transcriptional enhancer sequences consisting of smaller motifs that bind cellular DNA-binding proteins implicated in transcriptional regulation. The M-MuLV enhancers are also important for disease specificity and latency of disease induction. To enrich for proviral chromatin containing M-MuLV LTR sequences, an affinity purification scheme was employed that relies on the affinity of bacterial Lac repressor protein for Lac operator (LacO) DNA sequences. An infectious M-MuLV recombinant was constructed that contains bacterial LacO sequences inserted into a nonessential region downstream from the 5' LTR of the virus (M-MuLV-LacO). Nuclei from M-MuLV-LacO-infected cells were digested with PvuII (which will liberate an LTR fragment containing LacO sequences), and digested chromatin was leached from the nuclei in hypotonic buffer. M-MuLV-LacO chromatin was then recovered by binding to an affinity matrix consisting of a beta-galactosidase-Lac repressor fusion protein anchored to acrylamide beads by an anti-beta-galactosidase monoclonal antibody [7]. Specifically bound chromatin was eluted under physiological conditions by incubation with the galactose analog isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside. Southern blot analysis confirmed the specific enrichment of M-MuLV proviral chromatin by this method.

Animals↗

A basis for new approaches to the chemotherapy of AIDS: novel genes in HIV-1 potentially encode selenoproteins expressed by ribosomal frameshifting and termination suppression.

Several previously unnoticed genes in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), potentially encoding selenoproteins, have been discovered by analyzing the genomic RNA structure and its relation to novel open reading frames. We have found a number of new potential RNA pseudoknots, including one in the long terminal repeat, several that coincide with highly conserved enzyme active site sequences in the pol coding region, and one in the env coding region. These pseudoknots can potentially direct the synthesis of selenocysteine (SeC) containing--1 frameshift fusion proteins. This is possible because we have found potential SeC insertion sequences (SECIS) in the RNA of HIV and other retroviruses; such structures are known to be necessary and sufficient for the incorporation of SeC at UGA "stop" codons anywhere in a eukaryotic mRNA. In several locations, UGA codons in the -1 reading frame are highly conserved across a broad spectrum of primate immunodeficiency viruses. Due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, this conservation cannot be explained by evolutionary selection of the pol gene protein sequence alone. Such observations, combined with the conservation of the associated reading frames, strongly suggest that these are real genes, and thus that the pseudoknots are also real. A protease pseudoknot-directed -1 frameshift fusion protein contains a highly conserved SeC codon and has significant similarities to a number of DNA binding proteins, including papillomavirus E2 proteins, suggesting it may be a virally encoded repressor of HIV transcription when cleaved by protease from the rest of the gag-pol gene product. A reverse transcriptase (RT) frameshift fusion protein replaces the RT active site with a highly conserved SeC-containing module. An integrase frameshift fusion protein contains the N-terminal integrase DNA-binding domain and a potential ATP-binding "GKS" motif; it has significant similarities to several helicases, but no SeC codons. A potential frameshift fusion protein from env has one SeC codon, but not in a highly conserved position. SeC incorporation could extend the nef gene product by 33 residues through the C-terminal UGA codon without frameshifting, potentially leading to substantial SeC utilization in infected cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Pausing in simian virus 40 DNA replication by a sequence containing (dG-dA)27.(dT-dC)27.

A 200 bp sequence including a stretch of 54 base pairs of alternating guanosine and adenosine nucleotide residues [(dG-dA)27.(dT-dC)27] was cloned in the simian virus 40 (SV40) genome between the KpnI and HpaII sites. This sequence was discovered earlier as part of a region limiting the amplification of sequences adjacent to an integrated polyoma virus in a transformed rat cell line. The newly constructed DNA was transfected into African Green monkey kidney CV1 cells and the variant virus was isolated by plaque-purification. The insertion was stably maintained and the variant virus grew more slowly than the wild type, had lower titers and gave smaller plaques. In mixed infection experiments, the variant was found to be stable, though the wild type replicated more rapidly. Pulse labeling experiments indicated that the unusual inserted sequence acts as a pause site for fork progression during DNA replication, as evidenced by the rate of incorporation of radioactively labeled nucleotides into various regions of the SV40 genome. Statistical fit of the experimental curves with theoretically generated curves suggested the pause of fork progression to be about one minute.

Animals↗

An ascidian homolog of vertebrate iodothyronine deiodinases.

In all classes of vertebrates, the deiodination of the prohormone T(4) to T(3) represents an essential activation step in thyroid hormone action. The possible presence of iodothyronine deiodinase activity in protochordates has been demonstrated in vivo. Recent molecular cloning of the genomes and transcripts of several ascidian species allows further investigation into thyroid-related processes in ascidians. A cDNA clone from Halocynthia roretzi (hrDx) was found to have significant homology (30% amino acid identity) with the iodothyronine deiodinase gene sequences from vertebrates, including the presence of an in-frame UGA codon that might encode a selenocysteine (SeC) in the active site. Because it was not certain that the 3' untranslated region (UTR) contained a SeC insertion sequence (SECIS) element essential for SeC incorporation, a chimeric expression vector of the hrDx coding sequence and the rat deiodinase SECIS element was produced, as well as an expression vector containing the intact hrDx cDNA. COS, CHO, and HEK cells were transfected with these vectors, and deiodinase activity was measured in cell homogenates. Outer-ring deiodinase activity was detected using both T(4) and reverse T(3) as substrates, and activity was enhanced by the presence of the reductive cofactor dithiothreitol. The enzyme activity was optimal during incubation between 20 and 30 C (pH 6-7) and was strongly inhibited by gold-thioglucose. The Halocynthia deiodinase appears to be a high Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)) enzyme (K(m) reverse T(3), 2 microM; and K(m) T(4), 4 microM). Deiodinase activity was completely lost upon the substitution of the SeC residue in the putative catalytic center by either cysteine or alanine. Transfection of the full-length hrDx cDNA produced deiodinase activity confirming the presence of a SECIS element in the 3'UTR, as revealed by the SECISearch program. In conclusion, our results show, for the first time, the existence of an ascidian iodothyronine outer-ring deiodinase. This raises the hypothesis that, in protochordates, the prohormone T(4) is activated by enzymatic outer-ring deiodination to T(3).

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Stop-transfer activity of hydrophobic sequences depends on the translation system.

Signal and stop-transfer sequences are the known determinants involved in topogenesis of integral membrane proteins. To study the characteristics of stop-transfer sequences, artificial proteins have been created on the DNA level based on the cDNA of the asialoglycoprotein receptor H1. Its internal signal/anchor domain initiates translocation of the downstream sequence across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. The ability of several hydrophobic sequences inserted into the translocating polypeptide to stop further transfer was analyzed by translation of the fusion proteins using the wheat germ extract and rabbit reticulocyte lysate systems with dog pancreas microsomes. We discovered that some of the sequences behave differently with respect to translocation across the membrane depending on the translation system. Expression of one of the fusion proteins in fibroblasts showed that the reticulocyte lysate system reflects more closely the in vivo situation than the wheat germ system. Our results suggest that in a homologous system the translating ribosomes interact with the translocation machinery and influence the termination of polypeptide transfer by hydrophobic sequences.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Recombination in the genome of Chlamydia trachomatis involving the polymorphic membrane protein C gene relative to ompA and evidence for horizontal gene transfer.

Genome sequencing of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar D has identified polymorphic membrane proteins (Pmp) that are a newly recognized protein family unique to the Chlamydiaceae family. Cumulative data suggest that these diverse proteins are expressed on the cell surface and might be immunologically important. We performed phylogenetic analyses and statistical modeling with 18 reference serovars and 1 genovariant of C. trachomatis to examine the evolutionary characteristics and comparative genetics of PmpC and pmpC, the gene that encodes this protein. We also examined 12 recently isolated ocular and urogenital clinical samples, since reference serovars are laboratory adapted and may not represent strains that are presently responsible for human disease. Phylogenetic reconstructions revealed a clear distinction for disease groups, corresponding to levels of tissue specificity and virulence of the organism. Further, the most prevalent serovars, E, F, and Da, formed a distinct clade. According to the results of comparative genetic analyses, these three genital serovars contained two putative insertion sequence (IS)-like elements with 10- and 15-bp direct repeats, respectively, while all other genital serovars contained one IS-like element. Ocular trachoma serovars also contained both insertions. Previously, no IS-like elements have been identified for Chlamydiaceae. Surprisingly, 7 (58%) of 12 clinical isolates revealed pmpC sequences that were identical to the sequences of other serovars, providing clear evidence for a high rate of whole-gene recombination. Recombination and the differential presence of IS-like elements among distinct disease and prevalence groups may contribute to genome plasticity, which may lead to adaptive changes in tissue tropism and pathogenesis over the course of the organism's evolution.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗

Evidence for a symbiosis island involved in horizontal acquisition of pederin biosynthetic capabilities by the bacterial symbiont of Paederus fuscipes beetles.

Pederin belongs to a group of antitumor compounds found in terrestrial beetles and marine sponges. It is used by apparently all members of the rove beetle genera Paederus and Paederidus as a chemical defense against predators. However, a recent analysis of the putative pederin biosynthesis (ped) gene cluster strongly suggests that pederin is produced by bacterial symbionts. We have sequenced an extended region of the symbiont genome to gain further insight into the biology of this as-yet-unculturable bacterium and the evolution of pederin symbiosis. Our data indicate that the symbiont is a very close relative of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that has acquired several foreign genetic elements by horizontal gene transfer. Besides one functional tellurite resistance operon, the region contains a genomic island spanning 71.6 kb that harbors the putative pederin biosynthetic genes. Several decayed insertion sequence elements and the mosaic-like appearance of the island suggest that the acquisition of the ped symbiosis genes was followed by further insertions and rearrangements. A horizontal transfer of genes for the biosynthesis of protective substances could explain the widespread occurrence of pederin-type compounds in unrelated animals from diverse habitats.

Animals↗

Rapid genome evolution revealed by comparative sequence analysis of orthologous regions from four triticeae genomes.

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) is an allohexaploid species, consisting of three subgenomes (A, B, and D). To study the molecular evolution of these closely related genomes, we compared the sequence of a 307-kb physical contig covering the high molecular weight (HMW)-glutenin locus from the A genome of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum, AABB) with the orthologous regions from the B genome of the same wheat and the D genome of the diploid wheat Aegilops tauschii (Anderson et al., 2003; Kong et al., 2004). Although gene colinearity appears to be retained, four out of six genes including the two paralogous HMW-glutenin genes are disrupted in the orthologous region of the A genome. Mechanisms involved in gene disruption in the A genome include retroelement insertions, sequence deletions, and mutations causing in-frame stop codons in the coding sequences. Comparative sequence analysis also revealed that sequences in the colinear intergenic regions of these different genomes were generally not conserved. The rapid genome evolution in these regions is attributable mainly to the large number of retrotransposon insertions that occurred after the divergence of the three wheat genomes. Our comparative studies indicate that the B genome diverged prior to the separation of the A and D genomes. Furthermore, sequence comparison of two distinct types of allelic variations at the HMW-glutenin loci in the A genomes of different hexaploid wheat cultivars with the A genome locus of durum wheat indicates that hexaploid wheat may have more than one tetraploid ancestor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Complete sequence of plasmid pLH1 from lactobacillus helveticus ATCC15009: analysis reveals the presence of regions homologous to other native plasmids from the host strain.

The complete sequence for plasmid pLH1 from Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC15009 has been determined. Analysis of the 19,360-bp primary sequence revealed a putative replication origin and initiation protein, information that could provide the basis for the construction of cloning vectors for L. helveticus. Evidence that pLH1 is theta-replicating could be deduced from the plasmid size, from the homology to the replication protein of the Bacillus natto theta-replicating plasmid pLS32, and from the identification of a putative resolvase gene (orf-195). Although 14 open reading frames capable of encoding polypeptides longer than 100 amino acids were identified, none, on the basis of homology with known sequences, appeared to encode a well-characterized trait relevant to milk fermentation. Plasmid pLH1 revealed regions of identity with the smaller cryptic plasmids (pLH2 and pLH3) from the same strain and with other tracts of DNA, including insertion sequence elements, from a variety of other lactic acid bacteria. The presence of such regions provides a basis for developing an explanation of the phenotypic variability observed in these bacteria. The plasmid also appears to possess a number of genetic elements present in other lactic acid bacterial plasmids, conservation of which would be consistent with an important functional or evolutionary role. It could be argued that the plasmid complement of L. helveticus ATCC15009 consists of parasitic entities concerned only with their own replication and survival.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nucleotide sequence of class D tetracycline resistance genes from Salmonella ordonez.

Plasmid pIP173, isolated from Salmonella ordonez strain BM2000, confers resistance to tetracycline and a number of other antibiotics. We determined the nucleotide sequence of the pIP173 tetR repressor and tetA resistance genes. The pIP173 tetR gene is essentially identical to the class D tetR gene from plasmid RA1. The pIP173 tet genes are flanked by directly repeated copies of the insertion sequence IS26. Interestingly, the 3' end of the tetR gene, encoding the C-terminal 16 amino acids of the TetR protein, extends into the flanking IS26 sequence. The relationships between the class A, B, C, and D TetA sequences parallel the relationships between the corresponding TetR sequences; class D is more closely related to class B than to either class A or C. Overall, the four TetA sequences show 38% identity and 57% similarity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mitochondrial DNA variations and nuclear RFLPs reflect different genetic similarities among 23 Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes.

The mitochondrial genome of 23 Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes was analysed by Southern hybridization in total cellular DNA. Firstly, the extent of divergence between the mitochondrial genomes in closely related lines of one plant species and secondly, the use of mitochondrial versus nuclear RFLPs to determine evolutionary relationships between Arabidopsis ecotype isolates was investigated. Highly divergent stoichiometries of alternative mitochondrial genome arrangements characterize individual ecotypes including the complete loss of a 5 kb region from ecotype Landsberg without apparent effect on plant viability. The genetic similarities between ecotypes suggested by mitochondrial genome arrangements differ from those deduced from 18 nuclear RFLP loci (CAPS markers). Similarity of nuclear RFLP patterns among the 23 Arabidopsis ecotypes neither correlates with their geographic origin nor with the observed mitochondrial genome arrangements. A promiscuous mitochondrial sequence insertion previously identified in ecotype Columbia is also found in the nuclear genomes of ecotypes Eifel, Enkheim and Hilversum. Two ecotypes (Eifel and Tabor) displaying identical RFLP patterns at all 18 nuclear loci show differences in both this sequence transfer and a mitochondrial DNA recombination event.

Arabidopsis↗