MECHANISMS OF SPONTANEOUS MUTATION IN DNA REPAIR-PROFICIENT ESCHERICHIA-COLI
MUTATION RESEARCH
Authors: HALLIDAY, JA; GLICKMAN, BW
Abstract
This paper describes the DNA sequence analysis of 729 independent spontaneous lacI- mutations. This total is comprised of 478 novel mutations and 251 previously described events, and therefore should allow a more comprehensive view of spontaneous mutation in Escherichia coli. The spectrum is dominated by a hotspot (71% of all events). Mutations at this site consist of related addition and deletion events involving a number of repetitive sequences. Here we discuss how the frequency and proportion of these events vary in different DNA repair-deficient genetic backgrounds. The distribution of non-hotspot events includes base substitutions (38%), deletions (35%), frameshifts (14%), duplications (4%) and insertion elements (4%). G:C --> A:T events dominate among base substitutions, while G: C --> C: G events are the least common; the remaining types of base substitution are equally represented. Among deletions, a significant number do not display repeated sequences at their endpoints (26/72). However, almost all multiply recovered events (15/17) possess repeated sequences capable of accounting for the deletion endpoints. Similarly, over half of all duplications recovered (5/7) display repeated endpoints. Single-base frameshifts are equally divided between A:T and G:C sites, in each case (-) 1 events occur 3-fold more frequently that (+)1 events. A comparative analysis of each mutational class recovered to lacI- spectra available in a variety of DNA repair/metabolism-deficient strains is presented here in an attempt to assess possible contributions from chemical, physical and enzymic sources of damage.
Genome-type-specific variation of the 19th intron sequence within the RNA polymerase I largest subunit gene in the genus Oryza
PLANT SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION
Authors: Takahashi, H.; Sato, T.; Sato, Y. -I.; Nakamura, I.
Abstract
Rice PolA1 gene, encoding for the largest subunit of RNA polymerase I, spans ca. 15 kb containing 21 exons and presents as a single-copy-per-haploid genome. The genus Oryza comprises 22 wild species and 9 recognized genome types: AA, BB, CC, EE, FF, GG, BBCC, CCDD, and HHJJ. We analyzed sequences of the 19th intron (PI19) within PolA1 genes in 17 Oryza species. The AA species, containing two cultivated species, showed similar length of PI19 to that of CC species (287-296 bp). The longer PI19s were found in BB (502 bp) and FF (349 bp) species, although EE (217 bp) and GG (222 bp) species had shorter sequences. The size differences of the PI19s are particularly useful to discriminate between diploid (BB and CC) and allotetraploid (BBCC) species using simple PCR analysis. The evolutionary relationship among seven genomes was inferred based on the comparison of their PI19 sequences.