Abstract: | High copy number nuclear plasmids are becoming recognized as common genetic components of simple eukaryotes. Like bacterial plasmids, eukaryotic plasmids ensure their persistence in dividing cells by having a partitioning system and a regulated means of amplifying copy number to correct inherent fluctuations in partitioning. By virtue of their small size and autonomy from the chromosomes, eukaryotic plasmids are useful for studying not only features of eukaryotic replicons but many aspects of gene regulation and DNA organization in nucleated cells. |