Double-stranded RNAs that encode killer toxins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: unstable size of M double-stranded RNA and inhibition of M2 replication by M1

Macronuclear DNA molecules of Tetrahymena thermophila

The physical organization of the DNA in the macronuclei of Tetrahymena thermophila was investigated by using alternating-orthogonal-field gel electrophoresis. The genome consisted of a spectrum of molecules with lengths ranging from less than 100 to in excess of 1,500 kilobase pairs. There were about 270 different macronuclear DNA molecules, with an average size of about 800 kilobase pairs. Specific genes were mapped and were generally found on macronuclear DNA molecules of the same size in different strains of T. thermophila. This indicates that the molecular mechanisms giving rise to the macronuclear DNA molecules were precise. The fragmentation process that gave rise to macronuclear DNA molecules occurred between 11 and 19 h after the initiation of conjugation.

Macronuclear DNA molecules of Tetrahymena thermophila

The physical organization of the DNA in the macronuclei of Tetrahymena thermophila was investigated by using alternating-orthogonal-field gel electrophoresis. The genome consisted of a spectrum of molecules with lengths ranging from less than 100 to in excess of 1,500 kilobase pairs. There were about 270 different macronuclear DNA molecules, with an average size of about 800 kilobase pairs. Specific genes were mapped and were generally found on macronuclear DNA molecules of the same size in different strains of T. thermophila. This indicates that the molecular mechanisms giving rise to the macronuclear DNA molecules were precise. The fragmentation process that gave rise to macronuclear DNA molecules occurred between 11 and 19 h after the initiation of conjugation.

Structure and expression of the M2 genomic segment of a type 2 killer virus of yeast

The M2 double-stranded (ds) RNA species encodes toxin and resistance functions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with the K2 killer specificity. RNA sequence analysis reveals the presence of a large open reading frame on the larger heat-cleavage product of M2 dsRNA, which is translated in vitro to yield a 28 kd polypeptide as a major product. The postulated translation initiator AUG triplet is located within a stem and loop structure near the 5' terminus of the positive strand, which also contains plausible 18S and 5.8S ribosomal RNA binding sites. These features may serve to regulate the translation of the K2 toxin precursor. The M1 (from type 1 yeast killers) and M2 dsRNA species lack extensive sequence homology, although specific features are shared, which may represent structural elements required for gene expression and replication.