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Evidence for the wide distribution of repetitive DNA sequences in the genusStreptomyces

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Summary

Repeated DNA sequences were detected as rapidly reannealing sequences in the chromosomal DNA of 13 out of 14Streptomyces species using either hypochromicity measurements or hydroxyapatite chromatography. These sequences made up between approximately 4% and 11% of the total DNA of these species; only inStreptomyces rimosus were repeated DNA sequences not detected. The repeated sequences fall into a number of distinct percentage G+C (%G+C) classes, many being of rather low %G+C. Analytical density ultracentrifugation of the DNA of these species indicated satellite bands of low %G+C, and high-resolution thermal denaturation profiles indicated the presence of blocks of DNA of low G+C content too. No such satellite band could be found inStreptomyces coelicolor and no low-%G+C DNA could be detected in its thermal denaturation profile. The possible relationship of this repeated DNA, an unusual occurrence in a procaryote, to genetic instability and genetic control mechanisms inStreptomyces is discussed.

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Abbreviations

Cot:

the product of molar concentration of DNA nucleotides and the time (mins) of incubation (mol l−1)

(Et)4NCl:

tetraethyl ammonium chloride

Tm:

the temperature at which the DNA is 50% denatured

rsDNA:

repeated DNA sequences

dsDNA:

double-stranded DNA

ssDNA:

single-stranded DNA %G+C, percentage G+C content of DNA

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Usdin, K., Gertsch, K. & Kirby, R. Evidence for the wide distribution of repetitive DNA sequences in the genusStreptomyces . J Mol Evol 20, 25–30 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02101982

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02101982

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