Changes in Trypanosoma cruzi kinetoplast DNA minicircles induced by environmental conditions and subcloning.
Reversible changes in kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) minicircles sequences were observed in clones of Trypanosoma cruzi strain Y, following a number of passages during exponential growth phase or after subcloning in blood-free medium. kDNA restriction patterns of clones were similar to those of the original uncloned strain, while subclones presented distinct kDNA restriction patterns. Homology experiments demonstrated strong hybridization between kDNA with the same electrophoretic mobility patterns while only weak signals were observed with kDNA of different patterns. The changes observed, which are unprecedented in T. cruzi clones, characterize transkinetoplastidy, and seem to be associated with similarly reversible changes both in zymodeme and in infectivity.
Alves
A M
AM
Laboratório de Fisiologia Celular, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
De Almeida
D F
DF
von Krüger
W M
WM
D000818:Animals; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002999:Clone Cells; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D018105:DNA, Kinetoplast / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D051379:Mice; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development
D018105:DNA, Kinetoplast; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes