Molecular Evolution and Maintenance of Cryptic Genes

Hall, Barry G.

Abstract

Microorganisms contain a variety of cryptic genes, genes that are not normally exposed but which can be activated by mutational events and genetic rearrangements. Although silent, these genes are not destroyed by mutational inactivation. We have recently discovered a system of cryptic genes for cellobiose utilization in E. coli. We propose to use this system as a model to study the evolution, molecular biology, and maintenance of cryptic genes. We will investigate this problem at the molecular and biochemical levels in the laboratory strain, E. coli K12. In that study we shall investigate the structure, function and mechanism of activation of the cryptic cellobiose genes. We shall apply that information to population biology studies of natural E. coli isolates in order to understand a) the basis of selection that maintains silent genes in populations in the face of mutational pressure, and b) the generality of molecular mechanisms that silence and activate cryptic genes.

Funding Agency

• Agency: National Institute of Health (NIH)
• Institute: National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
• Type: Research Project (R01)
• Project #: 5R01GM037110-03
• Application #: 3292124
• Study Section: Genetics Study Section (GEN)
• Project Start: 1986-08-01
• Project End: 1989-07-31
• Budget Start: 1988-08-01
• Budget End: 1989-07-31
• Support Year: 3
• Fiscal Year: 1988

Institution

• Name: University of Connecticut
• Type: Schools of Arts and Sciences
• City: Storrs-Mansfield
• State: CT
• Country: United States
• Zip Code: 06269

Publications

Cortes, P; Flores, O; Reinberg, D (1992) Factors involved in specific transcription by mammalian RNA polymerase II: purification and analysis of transcription factor IIA and identification of transcription factor IIJ. Mol Cell Biol 12:413-21

Hall, B G; Xu, L (1992) Nucleotide sequence, function, activation, and evolution of the cryptic asc operon of Escherichia coli K12. Mol Biol Evol 9:688-706

Hall, B G; Sharp, P M (1992) Molecular population genetics of Escherichia coli: DNA sequence diversity at the celC, crr, and gutB loci of natural isolates. Mol Biol Evol 9:654-65

Flores, O; Lu, H; Reinberg, D (1992) Factors involved in specific transcription by mammalian RNA polymerase II. Identification and characterization of factor IIH. J Biol Chem 267:2786-93

Stone, N; Reinberg, D (1992) Protein kinases from Aspergillus nidulans that phosphorylate the carboxyl-terminal domain of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II. J Biol Chem 267:6353-60

Hall, B G; Xu, L; Ochman, H (1991) Physical map location of the asc (formerly sac) operon of Escherichia coli K-12. J Bacteriol 173:5250

Inostroza, J; Flores, O; Reinberg, D (1991) Factors involved in specific transcription by mammalian RNA polymerase II. Purification and functional analysis of general transcription factor IIE. J Biol Chem 266:9304-8

Hall, B G (1990) Spontaneous point mutations that occur more often when advantageous than when neutral. Genetics 126:5-16

Parker, L L; Hall, B G (1990) Characterization and nucleotide sequence of the cryptic cel operon of Escherichia coli K12. Genetics 124:455-71

Parker, L L; Hall, B G (1990) Mechanisms of activation of the cryptic cel operon of Escherichia coli K12. Genetics 124:473-82