The organization of Physcomitrella patensRAD51 genes is unique among eukaryotic organisms.

ABSTRACT: Genetic recombination pathways and genes are well studied, but relatively little is known in plants, especially in lower plants. To study the recombination apparatus of a lower land plant, a recombination gene well characterized particularly in yeast, mouse, and man, the RAD51 gene, was isolated from the moss Physcomitrella patens and characterized. Two highly homologous RAD51 genes were found to be present. Duplicated RAD51 genes have been found thus far exclusively in eukaryotes with duplicated genomes. Therefore the presence of two highly homologous genes suggests a recent genome duplication event in the ancestry of Physcomitrella. Comparison of the protein sequences to Rad51 proteins from other organisms showed that both RAD51 genes originated within the group of plant Rad51 proteins.

SUBMITTER: Markmann-Mulisch U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC122455 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature