Evolution of linear chromosomes and multipartite genomes in yeast mitochondria.

ABSTRACT: Mitochondrial genome diversity in closely related species provides an excellent platform for investigation of chromosome architecture and its evolution by means of comparative genomics. In this study, we determined the complete mitochondrial DNA sequences of eight Candida species and analyzed their molecular architectures. Our survey revealed a puzzling variability of genome architecture, including circular- and linear-mapping and multipartite linear forms. We propose that the arrangement of large inverted repeats identified in these genomes plays a crucial role in alterations of their molecular architectures. In specific arrangements, the inverted repeats appear to function as resolution elements, allowing genome conversion among different topologies, eventually leading to genome fragment

SUBMITTER: Valach M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3105423 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature