title: Nested genes CDA12 and CDA13 encode proteins associated with membrane trafficking in the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila.
abstract: We describe a novel pair of nested genes, CDA12 and CDA13, from Tetrahymena thermophila. Both are implicated in membrane trafficking associated with cell division and conjugation. Green fluorescent protein localization reveals Cda12p decoration of diverse membrane-bound compartments, including mobile, subcortical tubulovesicular compartments; perinuclear vesicles; and candidates for recycling endosomes. Cda13p decorates intracellular foci located adjacent to cortically aligned mitochondria and their neighboring Golgi networks. The expression of antisense CDA12 RNA in transformants produces defects in cytokinesis, macronuclear segregation, and the processing of pinosomes to downstream compartments. Antisense CDA13 RNA expression produces a conjugation phenotype, resulting in the failure of mating pairs to separate, as well as failures in postconjugation cytokinesis and macronuclear fission. This study offers insight into the membrane trafficking events linking endosome and Golgi network activities, cytokinesis, and karyokinesis and the unique membrane-remodeling events that accompany conjugation in the ciliate T. thermophila. We also highlight an unusual aspect of genome organization in Tetrahymena, namely, the existence of nested, antisense genes.
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, St. Olaf College, 1520 St. Olaf Ave., Northfield, MN 55057, USA.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zweifel
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Thomas H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Giddings
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Winey
authors.forename: Jerry
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Honts
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dahlseid
authors.forename: Brent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Eric S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Cole
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D048749:Cytokinesis; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D032041:Nested Genes; D021381:Protein Transport; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016808:Tetrahymena thermophila / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015800:Protozoan Proteins