Genetic studies of recombining DNA in pneumococcal transformation. 1966

H Ephrussi-Taylor, and T C Gray

The results of genetic fine structure experiments, performed on the amiA locus of Pneumococcus are summarized. The peculiar feature of transformation genetics is that a given donor marker mutation transforms with an efficiency characteristic of the mutated site. In spite of this difficulty, mapping procedures have been devised and quantitative recombination studies performed. It is concluded from these studies that transformation, in this locus, is the consequence of frequent, and essentially random exchanges occurring between donor DNA and the chromosomal DNA of the recipient cell. The average length of uninterrupted donor DNA polynucleotide strand which could be inserted into the chromosome of a transformed cell is estimated, from genetic data, to be probably not greater than 3.10(5) daltons (for a double-stranded insertion). It is proposed, on the basis of genetic evidence, that following essentially random exchanges between donor DNA and recipient chromosome, a revision process, specific for certain types of mutated sites, occurs. The revision process appears to remove preferentially donor DNA sequences from the primary recombinant structure, and allow repair along the chromosomal template, leading to low efficiency in the genetic integration of these sites. A mechanism for this "destruction-choice" process is presented, and evidence in support of this mechanism discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009154 Mutation Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations. Mutations
D011119 Polynucleotides BIOPOLYMERS composed of NUCLEOTIDES covalently bonded in a chain. The most common examples are DNA and RNA chains. Polynucleotide
D002874 Chromosome Mapping Any method used for determining the location of and relative distances between genes on a chromosome. Gene Mapping,Linkage Mapping,Genome Mapping,Chromosome Mappings,Gene Mappings,Genome Mappings,Linkage Mappings,Mapping, Chromosome,Mapping, Gene,Mapping, Genome,Mapping, Linkage,Mappings, Chromosome,Mappings, Gene,Mappings, Genome,Mappings, Linkage
D004269 DNA, Bacterial Deoxyribonucleic acid that makes up the genetic material of bacteria. Bacterial DNA
D005796 Genes A category of nucleic acid sequences that function as units of heredity and which code for the basic instructions for the development, reproduction, and maintenance of organisms. Cistron,Gene,Genetic Materials,Cistrons,Genetic Material,Material, Genetic,Materials, Genetic
D005823 Genetics The branch of science concerned with the means and consequences of transmission and generation of the components of biological inheritance. (Stedman, 26th ed)
D013296 Streptococcus pneumoniae A gram-positive organism found in the upper respiratory tract, inflammatory exudates, and various body fluids of normal and/or diseased humans and, rarely, domestic animals. Diplococcus pneumoniae,Pneumococcus

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