ABSTRACT
We constructed maps for eight chromosomes (1, 6, 9, 10, 13, 20, X and (previously) 22), representing one-third of the genome, by building landmark maps, isolating bacterial clones and assembling contigs. By this approach, we could establish the long-range organization of the maps early in the project, and all contig extension, gap closure and problem-solving was simplified by containment within local regions. The maps currently represent more than 94% of the euchromatic (gene-containing) regions of these chromosomes in 176 contigs, and contain 96% of the chromosome-specific markers in the human gene map. By measuring the remaining gaps, we can assess chromosome length and coverage in sequenced clones.
Subject(s)
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 10 , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 13 , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 20 , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6 , Contig Mapping , Genome, Human , X Chromosome , HumansABSTRACT
We have found a novel transposon in the genome of Caenorhabditis elegans. Tc7 is a 921 bp element, made up of two 345 bp inverted repeats separated by a unique, internal sequence. Tc7 does not contain an open reading frame. The outer 38 bp of the inverted repeat show 36 matches with the outer 38 bp of Tc1. This region of Tc1 contains the Tc1-transposase binding site. Furthermore, Tc7 is flanked by TA dinucleotides, just like Tc1, which presumably correspond to the target duplication generated upon integration. Since Tc7 does not encode its own transposase but contains the Tc1-transposase binding site at its extremities, we tested the ability of Tc7 to jump upon forced expression of Tc1 transposase in somatic cells. Under these conditions Tc7 jumps at a frequency similar to Tc1. The target site choice of Tc7 is identical to that of Tc1. These data suggest that Tc7 shares with Tc1 all the sequences minimally required to parasitize upon the Tc1 transposition machinery. The genomic distribution of Tc7 shows a striking clustering on the X chromosome where two thirds of the elements (20 out of 33) are located. Related transposons in C. elegans do not show this asymmetric distribution.
Subject(s)
Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics , DNA Transposable Elements , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Nucleotidyltransferases/metabolism , Transposases , Animals , Animals, Genetically Modified , Base Sequence , Binding Sites , Blotting, Southern , DNA, Helminth/chemistry , DNA, Helminth/metabolism , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Gene Expression , Molecular Sequence Data , Nucleotidyltransferases/genetics , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic AcidABSTRACT
We present an approach to map large numbers of Tc1 transposon insertions in the genome of Caenorhabditis elegans. Strains have been described that contain up to 500 polymorphic Tc1 insertions. From these we have cloned and shotgun sequenced over 2000 Tc1 flanks, resulting in an estimated set of 400 or more distinct Tc1 insertion alleles. Alignment of these sequences revealed a weak Tc1 insertion site consensus sequence that was symmetric around the invariant TA target site and reads CAYATATRTG. The Tc1 flanking sequences were compared with 40 Mbp of a C. elegans genome sequence. We found 151 insertions within the sequenced area, a density of approximately 1 Tc1 insertion in every 265 kb. As the rest of the C. elegans genome sequence is obtained, remaining Tc1 alleles will fall into place. These mapped Tc1 insertions can serve two functions: (i) insertions in or near genes can be used to isolate deletion derivatives that have that gene mutated; and (ii) they represent a dense collection of polymorphic sequence-tagged sites. We demonstrate a strategy to use these Tc1 sequence-tagged sites in fine-mapping mutations.
Subject(s)
Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics , Chromosome Mapping , DNA Transposable Elements , Animals , Biomarkers , GenomeABSTRACT
A set of programs has been developed for rapid collection of x-ray intensity data from protein and virus crystals with a commercially available two-dimensional focused geometry electronic detector. The detector is compact and portable, with unusually high spatial resolution comparable to that used in oscillation photography. It has allowed x-ray data collection on weakly diffracting crystals with large unit cells, as well as more conventional "diffractometer-quality" crystals. The quality of the data is compared with that from oscillation photography and automated diffractometry in the range of unit cells from 96.3 to 383.2 angstroms. Isomorphous and anomalous difference Pattersons, based on detector data, are shown for a variable surface glycoprotein mercury derivative and for a repressor-DNA bromine derivative, which has been solved at 7 angstroms with detector data only.
