Cloning and characterization of a class II DNA photolyase from Chlamydomonas

Damage to DNA induced by ultraviolet light can be reversed by a blue light-dependent reaction catalyzed by enzymes called DNA photolyases. Chlamydomonas has been shown to have DNA photolyase activity in both the nucleus and the chloroplast. Here we report the cloning and sequencing of a gene, PHR2, from Chlamydomonas encoding a class II DNA photolyase. The PHR2 protein, when expressed in Escherichia coli, is able to complement a DNA photolyase deficiency. The previously described Chlamydomonas mutant, phr1, which is deficient in nuclear but not chloroplast photolyase activity was shown by RFLP analysis not to be linked to the PHR2 gene. Unlike the recently reported class II DNA photolyase from Arabidopsis, the protein encoded by PHR2 is predicted to contain a chloroplast targeting sequence. This result, together with the RFLP data, suggests that PHR2 encodes the chloroplast targeted DNA photolyase.     

Rice chloroplast DNA: a physical map and the location of the genes for the large subunit of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase and the 32 KD photosystem II reaction center protein

Summary By homogenizing rice leaves in liquid nitrogen, it was possible to isolate intact chloroplasts and, subsequently, pure rice chloroplast DNA from the purified chloroplasts. The DNA was digested by several restriction enzymes and fragments were fractionated by agarose gel electrophoresis. The sum of the fragment sizes generated by the restriction enzymes showed that the total length of the DNA is 130 kb. A circular physical map of fragments, generated by digestion with SalI, PstI, and PvuII, has been constructed. The circular DNA contains two inverted repeats of about 20 kb separated by a large, single copy region of about 75 kb and a short, single copy region of about 15 kb. The location of the gene for the large subunit of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Fraction I protein) and the 32 KD photosystem II reaction center gene were determined by using as probes tobacco chloroplast DNAs containing these genes. Rice chloroplast DNA differs from chloroplast DNAs of wheat and corn as well as from dicot chloroplast DNAs by having the 32 KD gene located 20 kb removed from the end of an inverted repeat instead of close to the end, as in other plants.     

Mapping of genes on the chloroplast DNA of Spirodela oligorhiza

With the use of spinach chloroplast RNAs as probes, we have mapped the rRNA genes and a number of protein genes on the chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) of the duckweed Spirodela oligorhiz. For a more precise mapping of these genes we had to extend the previously determined [14] restriction endonuclease map of the duckweed cpDNA with the cleavage sites for the restriction endonucleases Sma I and Bgl I. The physical map indicates that duckweed cpDNA contains two inverted repeat regions (18 Md) separated by two single copy regions with a size of 19 Md and 67 Md, respectively.By hybridization with spinach chloroplast rRNAs it could be shown that each of the two repeat units contains one set of rRNA genes in the order: 16S rRNA gene — spacer — 23S rRNA gene — 5S rRNA gene.A spinach chloroplast mRNA preparation (14S RNA), which is predominantly translated into a 32 Kilodalton (Kd) protein [9], hybridized strongly to a DNA fragment in the large single copy region, immediately outside one of the inverted repeats. With another mRNA preparation (18S), which mainly directs the in vitro synthesis of a 55 Kd protein [9], hybridization was observed with two DNA regions, located between 211° and 233° and between 137° and 170°, respectively. Finally, with a spinach chloroplast genomic probe for the large subunit of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase [17], hybridization was found with a DNA fragment located between 137° and 158° on the map.     

Variable copy number DNA sequences in rice

Summary We have cloned two types of variable copy number DNA sequences from the rice embryo genome. One of these sequences, which was cloned in pRB301, was amplified about 50-fold during callus formation and diminished in copy number to the embryonic level during regeneration. The other clone, named pRB401, showed the reciprocal pattern. The copy numbers of both sequences were changed even in the early developmental stage and eliminated from nuclear DNA along with growth of the plant. Sequencing analysis of the pRB301 insert revealed some open reading frames and direct repeat structures, but corresponding sequences were not identified in the EMBL and LASL DNA databases. Sequencing of the nuclear genomic fragment cloned in pRB401 revealed the presence of the 3rps12-rps7 region of rice chloroplast DNA. Our observations suggest that during callus formation (dedifferentiation), regeneration and the growth process the copy numbers of some DNA sequences are variable and that nuclear integrated chloroplast DNA acts as a variable copy number sequence in the rice genome. Based on data showing a common sequence in mitochondria and chloroplast DNA of maize (Stern and Lonsdale 1982) and that the rps12 gene of tobacco chloroplast DNA is a divided gene (Torazawa et al. 1986), it is suggested that the sequence on the inverted repeat structure of chloroplast DNA may have the character of a movable genetic element.     

Homology between the ribosomal DNA of Escherichia coli and mitochondrial DNA preparations of maize is principally to sequences other than mitochondrial rRNA genes

E. coli ribosomal DNA has been used to probe maize mitochondrial DNA. It hybridizes primarily with chloroplast ribosomal DNA sequences and with fungal and bacterial sequences which may contaminate the mtDNA preparations. It also hybridizes to the chloroplast 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence present in the mitochondrial genome (1) as well as to the mitochondrial 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequence. Weak sequence homology was detected between E. coli rDNA and the mitochondrial 26S ribosomal RNA gene.     

Tobacco nuclear DNA contains long tracts of homology to chloroplast DNA

Summary Long tracts of DNA with high sequence homology to chloroplast DNA were isolated from nuclear genomic libraries of Nicotiana tabacum. One lambda EMBL4 clone was characterised in detail and assigned to nuclear DNA. The majority of the 15.5-kb sequence is greater than 99% homologous with its chloroplast DNA counterpart, but a single base deletion causes premature termination of the reading frame of the psaA gene. One region of the clone contains a concentration of deleted regions, and these were used to identify and quantify the sequence in native nuclear DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. An estimated 15 copies of this specific region are present in a 1c tobacco nucleus.     

The 68 kDa DNA compacting nucleoid protein from soybean chloroplasts inhibits DNA synthesis in vitro

Nucleoids were purified from chloroplasts of dividing soybean cells and their polypeptide composition analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Of the 15–20 nucleoid-associated polypeptides, several demonstrated DNA binding activity. Upon disruption of the nucleoids with high concentrations of NaCl, a subset of these proteins and the majority of chloroplast DNA were recovered in the supernatant after centrifugation. Removal of the salt by dialysis resulted in formation of nucleoprotein complexes resembling genuine nucleoids. Purification of these structures revealed three major proteins of 68, 35 and 18 kDa. After purification of the 68 kDa protein to homogeneity, this protein was able to compact purified chloroplast DNA into a nucleoid-like structure in a protein concentration-dependent fashion. Addition of the 68 kDa protein to an in vitro chloroplast DNA replication system resulted in complete inhibition of nucleotide incorporation at concentrations above 300 ng of 68 kDa protein per g of template DNA. These results led to in situ immunofluorescence studies of chloroplasts replicating DNA which suggested that newly synthesized DNA is not co-localized with nucleoids. Presumably, either the plastid replication machinery has means of removing nucleoid proteins prior to replication or the concentration of nucleoid proteins is tightly regulated and the proteins turned over in order to allow replication to proceed.     

Effect of chloramphenicol and lincomycin on chloroplast DNA amplification in greening pea leaves

The light-induced increase in chloroplast DNA was not inhibited by two inhibitors of protein synthesis on 70S polysomes, chloramphenicol and lincomycin, in greening pea leaves. The changes in chloroplast DNA were observed by fluorescence microscopy and measured by hybridization to specific cloned probes. The results suggest that the light-induced increase in chloroplast DNA proceeds without de novo protein synthesis in the chloroplast, in agreement with those with mutants and cultured leaf tissue.     

The 2005 version of the chloroplast DNA sequence from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)

The complete nucleotide sequence of tobacco chloroplast DNA was first determined in 1986, and then its updated gene map was reported in 1998. During the course of sequencing the chloroplast DNA ofNicotiana sylvestris, the female progenitor of tobacco, we found some sequence errors and amended the 1998 version. The tobacco chloroplast DNA comprises 155,943 bp, 4 bp longer than the 1998 version.     

Acyl carrier protein-derived sequence encoded by the chloroplast genome in the marine diatom Cylindrotheca sp. strain N1.

The chloroplast genome of chromophytic and rhodophytic algae differs from the plastid genome of plants and green algae in that it encodes the gene for the small subunit (rbcS) of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase. Hybridization studies indicated that there was a second region of chloroplast DNA from the marine diatom Cylindrotheca sp. strain N1 that strongly hybridized to a previously isolated Cylindrotheca fragment that contained the rbcS gene and flanking sequences. Subsequent determination of the oligonucleotide sequence of this second chloroplast DNA fragment, however, indicated that hybridization was due to identical sequences 3' to the previously cloned Cylindrotheca chloroplast rbcL rbcS genes. Sequences derived from the 5' end of the second chloroplast DNA fragment contained a short open reading frame of 80 amino acids which was found to be highly homologous to bacterial acyl carrier protein and nuclear-encoded acyl carrier protein from plants. Amino acid residues in the environment of Ser-36 of the Escherichia coli protein, which is bound to a 4'-phosphopantetheine moiety, are virtually identical in the Cylindrotheca deduced sequence and all other sources of this protein. Unlike plant acyl carrier-deduced amino acid sequences, there was no leader peptide sequence found for the presumptive Cylindrotheca protein, consistent with the location of this DNA fragment on the chloroplast genome of this organism. DNA encoding the putative acyl carrier protein gene and rbcS thus represent two genes that are chloroplast-encoded in the chromophytic marine diatom Cylindrotheca, a significant departure from the organization of such genes in plants.     

普通烟草NtODB基因的电子克隆、表达及生物信息学分析

ODB基因在植物同源重组依赖性的DNA双键断裂修复过程中起重要作用,对植物诱变育种具有潜在的应用价值。克隆烟草NtODB基因并分析其表达特征为丰富ODB基因在同源重组DNA修复过程中的作用提供证据。为得到烟草NtODB基因序列,采用电子克隆技术获得该基因cDNA序列并克隆验证。进一步使用生物信息学方法分析该基因表达特征,对预测蛋白的理化性质、信号肽、高级结构等进行预测。生物信息学分析结果表明,NtODB基因开放阅读框包含579个碱基,蛋白含192个氨基酸残基,NtODB蛋白具有碱性和亲水性,主要定位于细胞质内;实时荧光定量PCR检测结果显示NtODB基因在不同组织中呈现组成型表达特征;亚细胞定位检测提示NtODB主要表达于细胞膜和叶绿体。NtODB基因的克隆与表达分析及其蛋白高级结构和理化性质的预测,可为进一步丰富ODB基因在同源重组依赖的DNA修复系统中的作用机制提供证据。     

水稻(Oryza sativa L.)核基因组存在叶绿体psbA基因的同源片段

序列比较说明,重复DNA顺序pRRD9与水稻叶绿体基因组中编码QB蛋白的psbA基因存在高度的同源。用pRRD9亚克隆片段pRRD9R和片段pRRD9L对水稻的叶绿体和核DNA进行Southern杂交分析,揭示了psbA基因同源片段在某个进化时期由叶绿体基因组转移到水稻核基因组,而且两者在水稻进化过程中的变异程度存在明显的差异。利用它们对野生稻和栽培稻总DNA的Southern杂交分析,显示亚洲栽培稻与AA基因组型的野生稻有较近的亲缘关系,以及在部分野生稻产生特异的杂交带谱,说明它可以作为一种分子探针来研究水稻的进化问题。     

猕猴桃属植物叶绿体基因PCR-RFLP分析

分别用2个不同限制性内切酶对猕猴桃属27个种和15个栽培品种的叶绿体基因(rbcL基因和psbA基因)的PCR扩增产物进行酶切分析,共得到25个限制性位点,其中24个具有多态性。确立了该属植物的单元型分布,对该属植物的系统发育方式和部分重要种类的亲缘关系进行了探讨,拓展了可用于该属植物分子系统学研究的遗传信息。     

A tRNA Val(GAC) gene of chloroplast origin in sunflower mitochondria is not transcribed

A tRNA^Val (GAC) gene is located in opposite orientation 552 nucleotides (nt) down-stream of the cytochrome oxidase subunit III (coxIII) gene in sunflower mitochondria. The comparison with the homologous chloroplast DNA revealed that the tRNA^Val gene is part of a 417 nucleotides DNA insertion of chloroplast origin in the mitochondrial genome. No tRNA^Val is encoded in monocot mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), whereas two tRNA^Val species are coded for by potato mtDNA. The mitochondrial genomes of different plant species thus seem to encode unique sets of tRNAs and must thus be competent in importing the missing differing sets of tRNAs.     

The gene for the large subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase in Euglena gracilis chloroplast DNA: location, polarity, cloning, and evidence for an intervening sequence

The gene for the large subunit (LS) of ribulose-1,5,-bisphosphate carboxylase of Euglena gracilis Z chloroplast DNA has been mapped by heterologous hybridization with DNA restriction fragments containing internal sequences from the Zea mays and Chlamydomonas reinhardii LS genes. The Euglena LS gene which has the same polarity as the Euglena rRNA genes has been located with respect to Pst I, Pvu I, and HindIII sites within the Eco RI fragment Eco A. The region of Euglena chloroplast DNA complementary to an 887 bp internal fragment from the Chlamydomonas chloroplast LS gene is interrupted by a 0.5-1.1 kbp non-complementary sequence. This is the first chloroplast protein gene located on the Euglena genome, and the first evidence for an intervening sequence within any chloroplast protein gene.     

Mapping of transfer RNA genes on tobacco chloroplast DNA

Tobacco chloroplast tRNAs have been purified by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, identified by aminoacylation, labelled at their 3-end and hybridized to tobacco chloroplast DNA restriction fragments, in order to establish a tRNA gene map. These hybridization studies have revealed the localization of at least seven genes in each inverted repeat region, a minimum of 22 tRNA genes in the large single copy region and one tRNA gene in the small single copy region. Comparison of the tobacco chloroplast tRNA gene map to that of maize shows many similarities, but also some differences suggesting that DNA sequence rearrangements have occurred in the chloroplast genome during evolution.     

Dismantling of Arabidopsis thaliana mesophyll cell chloroplasts during natural leaf senescence

One of the earliest events in the process of leaf senescence is dismantling of chloroplasts. Mesophyll cell chloroplasts from rosette leaves were studied in Arabidopsis thaliana undergoing natural senescence. The number of chloroplasts decreased by only 17% in fully yellow leaves, and chloroplasts were found to undergo progressive photosynthetic and ultrastructural changes as senescence proceeded. In ultrastructural studies, an intact tonoplast could not be visualized, thus, a 35S-GFP::δ-TIP line with a GFP-labeled tonoplast was used to demonstrate that chloroplasts remain outside of the tonoplast even at late stages of senescence. Chloroplast DNA was measured by real-time PCR at four different chloroplast loci, and a fourfold decrease in chloroplast DNA per chloroplast was noted in yellow senescent leaves when compared to green leaves from plants of the same age. Although chloroplast DNA did decrease, the chloroplast/nuclear gene copy ratio was still 31:1 in yellow leaves. Interestingly, mRNA levels for the four loci differed: psbA and ndhB mRNAs remained abundant late into senescence, while rpoC1 and rbcL mRNAs decreased in parallel to chloroplast DNA. Together, these data demonstrate that, during senescence, chloroplasts remain outside of the vacuole as distinct organelles while the thylakoid membranes are dismantled internally. As thylakoids were dismantled, Rubisco large subunit, Lhcb1, and chloroplast DNA levels declined, but variable levels of mRNA persisted.     

Molecular evidence for the maternal parentage in the hybrid origin of Spartina anglica C.E. Hubbard

Spartina anglica is a textbook example of a natural amphiploid, which originated from hybridization between S. alterniflora and S. maritima . Which of these species was the maternal parent has remained a mystery. Inheritance of chloroplast DNA in most angiosperms is strictly maternal and can thus be used to test the parentage of hybrid taxa. The DNA sequence of the chloroplast leucine tRNA gene intron was used to show that the introduced North American S. alterniflora is the female parent of the F ₁ hybrid S. x townsendii and the amphiploid S. anglica . A possible scenario for their origin is given.     

Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA have sequence homology with a chloroplast gene

Summary A PstI 7.7 kbp fragment from chloroplast (ct) DNA of spinach shows homology to an EcoRI 8.3 kbp fragment of mitochondrial (mt) DNA and in turn, both are homologous to a number of common regions of nuclear (n) DNA. The common area of homology between the chloroplast and mitochondrial fragments is between a KpnI 1.8 segment internal to the PstI sites in the ctDNA and an EcoRI/BamHI 2.9 kbp fragment at one end of the mitochondrial 8.3 kbp fragment. The KpnI 1.8 kbp ctDNA fragment is within a structural gene for the P₇₀₀ chlorophyll a apoprotein. Further analysis of this KpnI 1.8 kbp fragment confined the homologous region in mtDNA to a ct 0.8 kbp HpaII fragment. These smaller pieces of the organellar genomes share homologies with nuclear DNA as well as displaying unique hybridization sites. The observations reported here demonstrate that there is a common or closely related sequence in all three genetic compartments of the cell.     

FRACTIONATION OF NUCLEAR,CHLOROPLAST, AND MITOCHONDRIAL DNA FROM POLYSIPHONIA BOLDII (RHODOPHYTA) USING A RAPID AND SIMPLE METHOD FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS ISOLATION OF RNA AND DNA1

Extraction of nucleic acids from red algae is complicated by the presence of phycocolloids. For this reason, methods used for nucleic acid isolation from other organisms are not always amenable to use with red algal preparations; modifications in some cases lead to protocols that are time consuming and complicated, often requiring large amounts of algal tissue for starting material. Here we describe the isolation of both RNA and DNA followed by fractionation and identification of nuclear, chloroplast, and mitochondrial DNAs from a single preparation of Polysiphonia boldii Wynne and Edwards using a simple method that yielded approximately 100 μg of total RNA and 20 μg of total DNA from 1 g of frozen powdered algae. The potent protein denaturant guanidinium thiocyanate and the detergent sarkosyl were used to gently lyse the cells and organelles and immediately inhibit nuclease activity in the extract. The nucleic acids were isolated by ultracentrifugation into a dense solution of CsCl; the RNA was recovered as a pellet and the DNA as a band within the CsCl solution. Agarose gel electrophoresis of the total RNA showed discrete ribosomal RNA bands, indicating little nonspecific degradation. The nuclear, chloroplast, and mitochondrial DNAs were fractionated by density gradient ultracentrifugation in the presence of the DNA binding dye, bisbenzimide H (Hoechst 33258), which binds preferentially to DNA with a high A + T:G + C ratio, thus altering its density to a greater degree than it does that of DNA with a lower nucleotide ratio. The three fractions were identified by Southern blot analysis using heterologous gene probes specific for the different genomes. The protocol should be applicable to different types of algae. The simple nucleic acid isolation step can be performed on multiple samples simultaneously without subsequent fractionation of DNA, allowing comparison of DNA from different individuals, populations, or species.