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Determination of the Optimal Chromosomal Location(s) for a DNA Element in Escherichia coli Using a Novel Transposon-mediated Approach
Published on: September 11, 2017
Role of intercompartmental DNA transfer in producing genetic diversity
Dario Leister1, Tatjana Kleine
1Lehrstuhl für Molekularbiologie der Pflanzen, Department Biologie I, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München-LMU, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology
|October 25, 2011
Summary
Gene transfer between eukaryotic cell compartments (nucleus, mitochondria, plastids) is ongoing. This DNA transfer impacts gene evolution, creates new DNA, and influences DNA repair mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Eukaryotic cells contain genes in the nucleus, mitochondria, and plastids.
- Extensive gene transfer occurs between these cellular compartments.
- While much transfer happened historically, it continues today.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ongoing process of DNA transfer between eukaryotic organelles and the nucleus.
- To understand the mechanisms and consequences of this intercompartmental DNA transfer.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of DNA sequences across cellular compartments.
- Identification of nuclear DNA originating from mitochondria and plastids.
- Investigation of DNA repair pathways involved in integrating foreign DNA.
Main Results:
- Ongoing DNA transfer from organelles to the nucleus is a ubiquitous phenomenon.
- This transfer generates noncoding nuclear DNA, disrupts gene function, and reshapes existing genes.
- Organelle DNA contributes to the formation of mitochondrial tRNA genes.
- DNA transfer is linked to organelle stress or specific developmental stages.
- Integration occurs via nonhomologous recombination at sites of nuclear double-stranded breaks.
Conclusions:
- Organelle-to-nucleus DNA transfer is an inescapable process with significant evolutionary impact.
- This phenomenon affects DNA repair, gene evolution, and genome evolution.
- It can redirect protein targeting within the cell.
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