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Nucleotide sequences transferred by gene conversion in the bacterium Acinetobacter calcoaceticus
G A Kowalchuk1, L A Gregg-Jolly, L N Ornston
1Department of Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8103.
Gene
|February 3, 1995
Summary
Genetic exchange in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus frequently repairs mutations via nonreciprocal gene conversion. This process involves nucleotide sequence exchange between catIJF and pcaIJF regions, differing from natural transformation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Acinetobacter calcoaceticus exhibits frequent repair of mutations.
- Nonreciprocal genetic exchange occurs between catIJF and pcaIJF chromosomal regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the mechanism of frequent mutation repair in A. calcoaceticus.
- Determine the role of nucleotide sequence exchange between catIJF and pcaIJF regions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of nucleotide sequence exchange between catIJF and pcaIJF.
- Assessment of repair process activity in the presence of DNase to differentiate mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Nonreciprocal genetic exchange leads to repaired nucleotide sequences.
- Donor catIJF nucleotide tracts of varying lengths (315-881 nt) were recovered in repaired pcaIJF DNA.
- Natural transformation appears to contribute insignificantly to repair, as it is inhibited by DNase.
Conclusions:
- Gene conversion is a likely mechanism for frequent mutation repair in A. calcoaceticus.
- Recombinational processes in gene conversion may differ from those in natural transformation.
- The stability of DNA between catIJF and pcaIJF regions warrants further investigation.