Telomeric co-localization of the modified base J and contingency genes in the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi.

ABSTRACT: Base J or beta-d-glucosylhydroxymethyluracil is a modification of thymine residues within the genome of kinetoplastid parasites. In organisms known to contain the modified base, J is located mainly within the telomeric repeats. However, in Trypanosoma brucei, a small fraction of J is also located within the silent subtelomeric variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) gene expression sites, but not in the active expression site, suggesting a role for J in regulating telomeric genes involved in pathogenesis. With the identification of surface glycoprotein genes adjacent to telomeres in the South American Trypanosome, Trypanosoma cruzi, we became interested in the telomeric distribution of base J. Analysis of J and telomeric repeat sequences by J immunoblots and Southern blots following DNA digesti

SUBMITTER: Ekanayake DK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2095807 | biostudies-literature | 2007

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature