Identification, characteristic and phylogenetic analysis of type II DNA topoisomerase gene in Giardia lamblia

The genes encoding type II DNA topoisomerases were investigated in Giardia lamblia genome, and a type IIA gene, GlTop 2 was identified. It is a single copy gene with a 4476 by long ORF without intron. The deduced amino acid sequence shows strong homology to eukaryotic DNA Top 2. However, some distortions were found, such as six insertions in the ATPase domain and the central domain, a similar to 100 as longer central domain; a similar to 200 as shorter C-terminal domain containing rich charged residues. These features revealed by comparing with Top 2 of the host, human, might be helpful in exploiting drug selectivity for antigiardial therapy. Phylogenetic analysis of eukaryotic enzymes showed that kinetoplastids, plants, fungi, and animals were monophyletic groups, and the animal and fungi lineages shared a more recent common ancestor than either did with the plant lineage; microsporidia grouped with fungi. However, unlike many previous phylogenetic analyses, the "amitochondriate" G. lamblia was not the earliest branch but diverged after mitochondriate kinetoplastids in our trees. Both the finding of typical eukaryotic type IIA topoisomerase and the phylogenetic analysis suggest G. lamblia is not possibly as primitive as was regarded before and might diverge after the acquisition of mitochondria. This is consistent with the recent discovery of mitochondrial remnant organelles in G. lamblia.

Mitochondrial DNA sequence diversity and origin of Chinese domestic yak

In order to clarify the origin and genetic diversity of yak in China, we analysed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences (similar to 891 bp) in 52 individuals from four domestic yak (Poephagus grunniens) breeds, as well as from a hybrid betwee

Mitochondrial DNA mutation m.3635G > A may be associated with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy in Chinese

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) was the first disease to be linked to the presence of a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation. Nowadays over 95% of LHON cases are known to be caused by one of three primary mutations (m.11778G>A, m.14484T>C, and m.34

Genetic diversity of Chinese domestic goat based on the mitochondrial DNA sequence variation

The aim of this study was to characterize the genetic diversity of domestic goat in China. For this purpose, we determined the sequence of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region in 72 individuals of the Yangtze River delta white goat, and reanalysed

卷象科昆虫无损形态的DNA提取方法

提取DNA是所有分子生物学实验的第一步,但在昆虫分子生物学研究中,常规提取总DNA的方法不能保留昆虫所有的形态特征.显然,这不适用于对于体形较小的珍稀标本.以鞘翅目卷象科(Coleoptera: Attelabidae)昆虫为实验材料,提供了一种新的取材方法,取下整个腹部,消化其肌肉组织后收回骨化腹板.该方法可在提取昆虫总DNA的同时保存全部外形特征及其生殖器.

DNA 拓扑异构酶Ⅱ的结构和作用原理

1976年美国国立卫生研究所的 Gellert 等从大肠杆菌中提取到解旋酶 (gyrase, 也叫细菌DNA 拓扑异构酶Ⅱ ,以下简称 TopoⅡ )以来, 对 TopoⅡ的作用机制一直存在争议. Tse (1980)报道, Topo Ⅱ能同时打断 DNA 的两条链,TopoⅡ的两个亚基键分别与断开的 DNA 的两个5'末端连接, 并互相错开4个碱基对，以便让另一股 DNA 双链通过。