Extrachromosomal element capture and the evolution of multiple replication origins in archaeal chromosomes.

ABSTRACT: In all three domains of life, DNA replication begins at specialized loci termed replication origins. In bacteria, replication initiates from a single, clearly defined site. In contrast, eukaryotic organisms exploit a multitude of replication origins, dividing their genomes into an array of short contiguous units. Recently, the multiple replication origin paradigm has also been demonstrated within the archaeal domain of life, with the discovery that the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus has three replication origins. However, the evolutionary mechanism driving the progression from single to multiple origin usage remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Aeropyrum pernix, a distant relative of Sulfolobus, has two origins. Comparison with the Sulfolobus origins provides evidence for evol

SUBMITTER: Robinson NP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1851573 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature