Abstract

The proposed research continues the characterization of a simple sequence DNA, repeated (C-C-C-C-A-A), that is interspersed in both macronuclear and micronuclear chromosomal DNA in the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena. This DNA sequence, also found at the termini of the extrachromosomal rDNA in the macronucleus, is implicated in DNA sequence rearrangements occurring during macronuclear differentiation. This DNA is packaged in chromatin in a form different from nucleosomes in the macronucleus. The DNA and its structurally associated protein(s) will be purified and the protein(s) characterized. Using recombinant DNA methods, repeated (C-C-C-C-A-A) DNA from the micronucleus will be cloned for use in filter binding assays in a research for proteins that bind this DNA sequence selectively. Such binding proteins will be sought from conjugating cells undergoing macronuclear differentiation. DNA-cellulose or DNA-sepharose columns will be prepared from this DNA. In addition, models for the role of this DNA sequence in macronuclear differentiation will be tested using cloned Tetrahymena cells of defined genetic background. A closely related ciliated protozoan, the Tetrahymenid, Glaucoma chattoni, is being studied with respect to its macronuclear DNA structure; repeated CCCCAA DNA is present in this DNA, and the DNA consists of discrete, subchromosome-sized fragments.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM026259-09
Application #
3273768
Study Section
Molecular Cytology Study Section (CTY)
Project Start
1978-07-01
Project End
1989-06-30
Budget Start
1986-07-01
Budget End
1987-06-30
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of California Berkeley
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
094878337
City
Berkeley
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94704

  Publications

Jay, Kyle A; Smith, Dana L; Blackburn, Elizabeth H (2016) Early Loss of Telomerase Action in Yeast Creates a Dependence on the DNA Damage Response Adaptor Proteins. Mol Cell Biol 36:1908-19
Xie, Zhengwei; Jay, Kyle A; Smith, Dana L et al. (2015) Early telomerase inactivation accelerates aging independently of telomere length. Cell 160:928-939
Blackburn, Elizabeth H; Epel, Elissa S; Lin, Jue (2015) Human telomere biology: A contributory and interactive factor in aging, disease risks, and protection. Science 350:1193-8
Rafelski, Susanne M; Viana, Matheus P; Zhang, Yi et al. (2012) Mitochondrial network size scaling in budding yeast. Science 338:822-4
Li, Shang; Makovets, Svetlana; Matsuguchi, Tetsuya et al. (2009) Cdk1-dependent phosphorylation of Cdc13 coordinates telomere elongation during cell-cycle progression. Cell 136:50-61
Makovets, Svetlana; Blackburn, Elizabeth H (2009) DNA damage signalling prevents deleterious telomere addition at DNA breaks. Nat Cell Biol 11:1383-6
Anderson, Carol M; Blackburn, Elizabeth H (2008) Mec1 function in the DNA damage response does not require its interaction with Tel2. Cell Cycle 7:3695-8
Seidel, Jeffrey J; Anderson, Carol M; Blackburn, Elizabeth H (2008) A novel Tel1/ATM N-terminal motif, TAN, is essential for telomere length maintenance and a DNA damage response. Mol Cell Biol 28:5736-46
Makovets, Svetlana; Williams, Tanya L; Blackburn, Elizabeth H (2008) The telotype defines the telomere state in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and is inherited as a dominant non-Mendelian characteristic in cells lacking telomerase. Genetics 178:245-57
Hsu, Min; McEachern, Michael J; Dandjinou, Alain T et al. (2007) Telomerase core components protect Candida telomeres from aberrant overhang accumulation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104:11682-7

Showing the most recent 10 out of 89 publications