Homologous recombination between the tuf genes of Salmonella typhimurium

• The genes coding for the translation factor EF-Tu, tufA and tufB are separated by over 700 kb on the circular chromosome of Salmonella typhimurium. The coding regions of these genes have 99% identity at the nucleotide level in spite of the presumed ancient origin of the gene duplication. Sequence comparisons between S. typhimurium and Escherichiacoli suggest that within each species the two tuf genes are evolving inconcert. Here we show that each of the S. typhimurium tuf genes cantransfer genetic information to the other. In our genetic system thetransfers are seen as non-reciprocal, i.e. as gene conversion events.However, the mechanism of recombination could be reciprocal, with sisterchromosome segregation and selection leading to the isolation of aparticular class of recombinant. The amount of sequence informationtransferred in individual recombination events varies, but can be close tothe entire length of the gene. The recombination is RecABCD-dependent,and is opposed by MutSHLU mismatch repair. In the wild-type, this typeof recombination occurs at a rate that is two or three orders of magnitudegreater than the nucleotide substitution rate. The rate of recombinationdiffers by six orders of magnitude between a recA and a mutS strain.Mismatch repair reduces the rate of this recombination 1000-fold. The rateof recombination also differs by one order of magnitude depending onwhich tuf gene is donating the sequence selected for. We discuss threeclasses of model that could, in principle, account for the sequencetransfers: (1) tuf mRNA mediated recombination; (2) non-allelic reciprocalrecombination involving sister chromosomes; (3) non-allelic geneconversion involving sister chromosomes, initiated by a double-strandbreak close to one tuf gene. Although the mechanism remains to bedetermined, the effect on the bacterial cells is tuf gene sequencehomogenisation. This recombination phenomenon can account for theconcerted evolution of the tuf genes.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Mikrobiologi inom det medicinska området (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Microbiology in the medical area (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

recombination

mismatch repair

heteroduplex DNA

Salmonella typhimurium

kirromycin

Microbiology, immunology, infectious diseases

Mikrobiologi, immunologi, infektionssjukdomar

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)