Nucleotide sequence homology within the genome of Drosophila melanogaster

An exploration of the sequence of a 2.9-Mb region of the genome of Drosophila melanogaster: the Adh region

A contiguous sequence of nearly 3 Mb from the genome of Drosophila melanogaster has been sequenced from a series of overlapping P1 and BAC clones. This region covers 69 chromosome polytene bands on chromosome arm 2L, including the genetically well-characterized "Adh region." A computational analysis of the sequence predicts 218 protein-coding genes, 11 tRNAs, and 17 transposable element sequences. At least 38 of the protein-coding genes are arranged in clusters of from 2 to 6 closely related genes, suggesting extensive tandem duplication. The gene density is one protein-coding gene every 13 kb; the transposable element density is one element every 171 kb. Of 73 genes in this region identified by genetic analysis, 49 have been located on the sequence; P-element insertions have been mapped to 43 genes. Ninety-five (44%) of the known and predicted genes match a Drosophila EST, and 144 (66%) have clear similarities to proteins in other organisms. Genes known to have mutant phenotypes are more likely to be represented in cDNA libraries, and far more likely to have products similar to proteins of other organisms, than are genes with no known mutant phenotype. Over 650 chromosome aberration breakpoints map to this chromosome region, and their nonrandom distribution on the genetic map reflects variation in gene spacing on the DNA. This is the first large-scale analysis of the genome of D. melanogaster at the sequence level. In addition to the direct results obtained, this analysis has allowed us to develop and test methods that will be needed to interpret the complete sequence of the genome of this species. Before beginning a Hunt, it is wise to ask someone what you are looking for before you begin looking for it. Milne 1926

Isolation and characterization of deoxyribonucleic acid from tissue of the woolly mammoth, Mammuthus primigenius

DNA was isolated from tissue samples of several mammoth specimens, radiocarbon dated between 10,000 and 53,000 years old. The DNA was purified by chromatography on hydroxyapatite at 60 degrees C and was characterized as a heterogeneous population of fragments ranging in size from 3000 to 200 base pairs. Thermal denaturation analysis demonstrated that approximately 25% of the DNA had a base composition similar to Asian elephant DNA calculated as 36% G + C. Preliminary analysis by nucleic acid hybridization indicated that only a small fraction of DNA isolated from mammoth tissue (2-5%) was homologous to DNA of Asian elephant, a close living relative of the mammoth. Our results provide the first definitive isolation and characterization of DNA from ancient tissue and suggest a purification strategy that will lead to preparations of DNA from mammoth tissue significantly enriched in elephant-related DNA sequences.

Underreplication during polytenization? : Recent cytophotometric DNA determinations and related biochemical results concerning polytene salivary gland nuclei of Drosophila melanogaster

Recent cytophotometric DNA determinations and results of labeling experiments are compared with results of biochemical experiments concerning larval polytene salivary gland nuclei of Drosophila melanogaster. Recent publications (Dennhöfer 1981; 1982 a, b) demonstrate that methodological errors both in hydrolysis of the DNA before Feulgen reaction and in interpretation of the cytophotometric values give raise to the hypothesis of heterochromatic underreplication during polytenization. It is concluded also that methodological difficulties cause the absence of polytene SAT-DNA in biochemical centrifugation experiments since, because of different solubilities of eu- and heterochromatic DNA, the latter is not resolved in DNA isolation procedures from polytene nuclei.