Nucleotide polymorphism in microcin V plasmids.

DNA sequence polymorphism was determined for the microcin V gene cluster encoded on the microcin V plasmids of 12 natural isolates of Escherichia coli. These microcin V gene clusters are similar in DNA sequence, with only 10 of the 683 bp polymorphic. Further, the levels and patterns of microcin V gene cluster polymorphism differ from those of a chromosomal region, trpORF2, sequenced from each of the host isolates. These contrasting levels and patterns of polymorphism suggest that the microcin V gene cluster has experienced an evolutionary history different from that of the host.

Molecular characterization of the klebicin B plasmid of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

The nucleotide sequence of a bacteriocin-encoding plasmid isolated from Klebsiella pneumoniae (pKlebB-K17/80) has been determined. The encoded klebicin B protein is similar in sequence to the DNase pyocins and colicins, suggesting that klebicin B functions as a nonspecific endonuclease. The klebicin gene cluster, as well as the plasmid backbone, is a chimera, with regions similar to those of pore-former colicins, nuclease pyocins and colicins as well as noncolicinogenic plasmids. Similarities between pKlebB plasmid maintenance functions and those of the colicin E1 plasmid suggest that pKlebB is a member of the ColE1 plasmid replication family.

Addition of Darwin's third dimension to phyletic trees.

A three-dimensional (3D) approach for visualizing the phyletic relationship of living animals is proposed and developed as an alternative to current two-dimensional (2D) evolutionary trees. The 3D tree enhances visualization and qualitative analysis since it simultaneously provides topological (tree-structure) and spatial information (based upon genetically measured distances). However, the meaning of the third dimension, particularly its relationship to temporal processes, and further quantitative analyses emerge as open questions. Our method consists of two phases. First, a 3D representation of the genetic relationships of a related group of extant animals is produced using an optimization algorithm developed here. Second, linear connections are added to suggest a visual representation of the differing evolutionary trajectories of the organisms involved on the basis of a 2D tree algorithm. The method is applied to a set of distantly related Caenophidian snakes, and the resulting relationships are analysed. The discussions here are meant to stimulate the generation of 3D trees in the goal of complementing standard 2D views and, perhaps ultimately, improving our classification of evolutionary relationships.