Stability of reiterated sequences in the Bacillus subtilis chromosome.
The instability of reiterated sequences in the Bacillus subtilis chromosome that was previously reported (M. Young, J. Gen. Microbiol. 130:1613-1621, 1984) results from the presence of a truncated pC194 replication origin together with an intact replication protein A gene in the amplified DNA. Removal of the truncated pC194 replication origin or inactivation of replication protein A stabilizes reiterated sequences, whereas provision of replication protein A in trans destabilizes them. We suggest that residual activity of protein A at the truncated replication origin generates single-stranded DNA, which stimulates recombination between repeated sequences and thus destabilizes amplified structures.
Young
M
M
Department of Biological Sciences, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, United Kingdom.
Ehrlich
S D
SD
D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000235:genetics*; D002876:Chromosomes, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology; D004261:DNA Replication; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D010957:Plasmids; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D015183:Restriction Mapping
D004269:DNA, Bacterial