title: Role of sequence amplification in the generation of nematode mitochondrial DNA polymorphism.
abstract: Romanomermis culicivorax, an obligate parasitic nematode of mosquitos, possesses an unusually large mitochondrial genome. Individuals are monomorphic for one of several mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) size variants ranging from 26-32 kb. In this report, we demonstrate that the mitochondrial genome size differential in three isofemale lineages is due to the presence of mtDNA sequences amplified to different copy numbers within each mtDNA molecule. Restriction enzyme analysis and DNA sequencing studies reveal that each mitochondrial genome contains one of two 3.0 kb repeat types that differ by approximately 30 bp. This difference is primarily due to a short (23 bp) imperfect tandem duplication present within the larger of two polymorphic repeating units. The 3.0 kb reiterated DNA sequences are present as direct, tandem repeats and as inverted portions of the same sequence located elsewhere in the genome. Based on mtDNA analysis of an independently reared R. culicivorax culture, we conclude that events resulting in mitochondrial genome rearrangement occurred in natural field populations prior to propagation within the laboratory.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside 92521.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Hyman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D005075:Biological Evolution; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D015246:Deoxyribonuclease EcoRI; D015247:Deoxyribonuclease HindIII; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005784:Gene Amplification; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D009348:Nematoda / Q000235:genetics*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D015183:Restriction Mapping
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D015246:Deoxyribonuclease EcoRI; D015247:Deoxyribonuclease HindIII