Work

The ubiquitous potential Z-forming sequence of eucaryotes, (dT-dG)n . (dC-dA)n, is not detectable in the genomes of eubacteria, archaebacteria, or mitochondria.

Year: 1986

Type: article

Abstract: The potential Z-forming sequence (dT-dG)n . (dC-dA)n is an abundant, interspersed repeat element that is ubiquitous in eucaryotic nuclear genomes. We report that in contrast to eucaryotic nuclear DNA, the genomes of eubacteria, archaebacteria, and mitochondria lack this sequence, since even a single tract of greater than or equal to 14 base pairs in length is not detectable through either hybridization or sequence analysis. Interestingly, the phylogenetic distribution of the (dT-dG)n . (dC-dA)n repeat exhibits a striking parallel to that of (dT-dC)n . (dG-dA)n, but not to other homocopolymeric sequences such as (dC-dG)n . (dC-dG)n or (dT-dA)n . (dT-dA)n.

Source: Molecular and Cellular Biology

DOI: 10.1128/mcb.6.8.3010

Authors: D S Gross, W T Garrard

Institutions: Louisiana State University, University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport

Language: English

Topic: DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Award: Function of the Subunits of Eukaryotic Chromosomes