(TAA)n within sequences flanking several intrachromosomal variant surface glycoprotein genes in Trypanosoma brucei.
In Trypanosoma brucei telomeric copies of intrachromosomal variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) genes are produced through a gene conversion mechanism and are expressed if the telomere is or becomes transcriptionally activated. We have analyzed a sequence that occurs 1 to 1.5 kb 5' to several intrachromosomal VSG genes. This flanking sequence has three distinct sections: a 5' section containing 5 to 116 TAA or TAA-like tandem repeats; a moderately conserved sequence with an alternating GT characteristic; and a highly conserved 3' sequence that is largely alternating TA. Restriction mapping data and the location of this sequence suggest that it occurs at or near the 5' gene conversion boundary. This sequence, however, is not 5' to all VSG genes. These data suggest that this flanking sequence alone is not sufficient for VSG gene expression but that it may function in gene conversion for many, but not all, VSG genes.
Aline
R
R
MacDonald
G
G
Brown
E
E
Allison
J
J
Myler
P
P
Rothwell
V
V
Stuart
K
K
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D005785:Gene Conversion; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000235:genetics*; D014643:Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma
D006023:Glycoproteins; D014643:Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes