Complete Genome Sequence of the Naegleria fowleri (Strain LEE) Closed Circular Extrachromosomal Ribosomal DNA Element

Complete sequence of the closed circular extrachromosomal element of Naegleria pringsheimi De Jonckheere (strain Singh)

The DNA encoding the ribosomal RNA in Naegleria is encoded on closed circular extrachromosomal ribosomal DNA-containing elements (CERE) in the nucleolus. In this report, we describe the sequence of the CERE of Naegleria pringsheimi De Jonckheere (strain Singh).

Complete sequence of the closed circular extrachromosomal element (CERE) of Naegleria australiensis De Jonckheere (strain PP 397)

Ribosomal RNA is not encoded in chromosomal DNA in amoebae of the Naegleria genus but the rRNA genes are located on closed circular extrachromosomal ribosomal DNA (rDNA)-containing elements (CERE). In this report, we describe the sequence of the CERE of Naegleria australiensis De Jonckheere (strain PP397).

The extrachromosomal elements of the Naegleria genus: How little we know

There are currently 47 characterized species in the Naegleria genus of free-living amoebae. Each amoeba has thousands of extrachromosomal elements that are closed circular structures comprised of a single ribosomal DNA (rDNA) copy and a large non-rDNA sequence. Despite the presence of putative open reading frames and introns, ribosomal RNA is the only established transcript. A single origin of DNA replication (ori) has been mapped within the non-rDNA sequence for one species (N. gruberi), a finding that strongly indicates that these episomes replicate independently of the cell's chromosomal DNA component. This article reviews that which has been published about these interesting DNA elements and by analyzing available sequence data, discusses the possibility that different phylogenetically related clusters of Naegleria species individually conserve ori structures and suggests where the rRNA promoter and termination sites may be located.