Base J originally found in kinetoplastida is also a minor constituent of nuclear DNA of Euglena gracilis.
We have analyzed DNA of EUGLENA: gracilis for the presence of the unusual minor base beta-D-glucosyl-hydroxymethyluracil or J, thus far only found in kinetoplastid flagellates and in DIPLONEMA: Using antibodies specific for J and post-labeling of DNA digests followed by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography of labeled nucleotides, we show that approximately 0.2 mole percent of EUGLENA: DNA consists of J, an amount similar to that found in DNA of Trypanosoma brucei. By staining permeabilized EUGLENA: cells with anti-J antibodies, we show that J is rather uniformly distributed in the EUGLENA: nucleus, and does not co-localize to a substantial extent with (GGGTTA)(n) repeats, the putative telomeric repeats of EUGLENA: Hence, most of J in EUGLENA: appears to be non-telomeric. Our results add to the existing evidence for a close phylogenetic relation between kinetoplastids and euglenids.
Division of Molecular Biology and Centre for Biomedical Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
D
D
Dooijes
I
I
Chaves
R
R
Kieft
A
A
Dirks-Mulder
W
W
Martin
P
P
Borst
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D017931:DNA Primers; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry*; D005056:Euglena gracilis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D005960:Glucosides / Q000032:analysis*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D014498:Uracil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis
D017931:DNA Primers; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D005960:Glucosides; C084880:5-((glucopyranosyloxy)methyl)uracil; D014498:Uracil