| Title | Sequence and structure of the extrachromosomal palindrome encoding the ribosomal RNA genes in Dictyostelium. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2003 |
| Authors | Sucgang, R, Chen, G, Liu, W, Lindsay, R, Lu, J, Muzny, DM, Shaulsky, G, Loomis, W, Gibbs, RA, Kuspa, A |
| Journal | Nucleic Acids Res |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue | 9 |
| Pagination | 2361-8 |
| Date Published | 2003 May 01 |
| ISSN | 1362-4962 |
| Keywords | Animals, Chromosome Mapping, Dictyostelium, DNA, Protozoan, In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence, Molecular Sequence Data, Plasmids, RNA, Ribosomal, Sequence Analysis, DNA |
| Abstract | Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) are encoded by multicopy families of identical genes. In Dictyostelium and other protists, the rDNA is carried on extrachromosomal palindromic elements that comprise up to 20% of the nuclear DNA. We present the sequence of the 88 kb Dictyostelium rDNA element, noting that the rRNA genes are likely to be the only transcribed regions. By interrogating a library of ordered YAC clones, we provide evidence for a chromosomal copy of the rDNA on chromosome 4. This locus may provide master copies for the stable transmission of the extrachromosomal elements. The extrachromosomal elements were also found to form chromosome-sized clusters of DNA within nuclei of nocodazole-treated cells arrested in mitosis. These clusters resemble true chromosomes and may allow the efficient segregation of the rDNA during mitosis. These rDNA clusters may also explain the cytological observations of a seventh chromosome in this organism. |
| DOI | 10.1093/nar/gkg348 |
| Alternate Journal | Nucleic Acids Res |
| PubMed ID | 12711681 |
| PubMed Central ID | PMC154234 |
| Grant List | R01 HD035925 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States R01 HD35925 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States |