A comparative approach to elucidate chloroplast genome replication.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Electron microscopy analyses of replicating chloroplast molecules earlier predicted bidirectional Cairns replication as the prevalent mechanism, perhaps followed by rounds of a rolling circle mechanism. This standard model is being challenged by the recent proposition of homologous recombination-mediated replication in chloroplasts.

Results

We address this issue in our current study by analyzing nucleotide composition in genome regions between known replication origins, with an aim to reveal any adenine to guanine deamination gradients. These gradual linear gradients typically result from the accumulation of deaminations over the time spent single-stranded by one of the strands of the circular molecule during replication and can, therefore, be used to model the co

SUBMITTER: Krishnan NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2695485 | biostudies-literature | 2009 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature