title: Analysis of gross-chromosomal rearrangements in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
abstract: Cells utilize numerous DNA metabolic pathways and cell-cycle checkpoints to maintain the integrity of their genome. Failure of these mechanisms can lead to genome instability, abnormal cell proliferation, and cell death. This chapter describes a method for the measurement of the rate of accumulating gross-chromosomal rearrangements (GCRs) in haploid cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The isolation of cells with GCRs relies on the simultaneous loss of two counterselectable markers, CAN1 and URA3, within a nonessential region on the left arm of chromosome V. Healing of DNA breaks by de novo telomere addition, translocations, large interstitial deletions, and chromosome fusion has been detected using a PCR-based procedure for the mapping and amplification of breakpoint junctions, which is also described in detail here. This GCR analysis provides an effective tool for the assessment of the contribution by multiple cellular mechanisms to the maintenance of genome integrity.
authors.affiliation: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of North Texas, Health Science Center, Fort Worth, USA.
authors.forename: Kristina H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pennaneach
authors.forename: Christopher D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Putnam
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Kolodner
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D015825:Chromosomes, Fungal; D017931:DNA Primers; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers