Toward sequencing the Tetrahymena genome: exploiting the gift of nuclear dimorphism

Important scientific discoveries have utilized the unique advantages of Tetrahymena thermophila as a research organism. Recently developed molecular genetic manipulations allow full exploitation of the many scientific dividends that would result from having its genome sequenced. As a typical ciliated protozoan, Tetrahymena exhibits "nuclear dimorphism". It possesses two differentiated forms of its nuclear genome: a globally repressed, diploid germline or micronuclear genome, and a polyploid, site-specifically fragmented somatic or macronuclear genome. The macronuclear genome is, in effect, a natural, large-insert library of the micronuclear genome. This presentation describes how the gifts of nuclear dimorphism are being exploited in the experimental analysis of molecular and cell biology. Mechanisms present in humans that are either absent in other eukaryotic microbial model systems, or not as readily accessible in them as in Tetrahymena, are especially relevant. This presentation also reviews unique tools generated by nuclear dimorphism that are being used for genetically and physically mapping the Tetrahymena genome.