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Most eukaryotic genomes contain large regions of satellite DNA. These arrays are often associated with essential chromosomal functions, but remain largely absent from genome projects because of difficulties in cloning and sequence assembly. The numerous small chromosomes of the parasite Trypanosoma brucei fall into this category, yet are critical to understanding the genome because of their role in antigenic variation. Their relatively small size, however, makes them particularly amenable to physical mapping. We have produced fine-resolution maps of 17 complete minichromosomes and partial maps of two larger intermediate-sized chromosomes. This revealed a canonical structure shared by both chromosomal classes based around a large central core of 177-bp repeats. Around the core are variable-length genic regions, the lengths of which define chromosomal class. We show the core region to be a repetitive palindrome with a single inversion point common to all the chromosomes of both classes, suggesting a mechanism of genesis for these chromosomes. Moreover, palindromy appears to be a feature of (peri)centromeres in other species that can be easily overlooked. We propose that sequence inversion is one of the higher-order sequence motifs that confer chromosomal stability.

Original publication

DOI

10.1101/gr.2227704

Type

Journal article

Journal

Genome Res

Publication Date

06/2004

Volume

14

Pages

1014 - 1024

Keywords

Animals, Antigenic Variation, Base Composition, Base Sequence, Cell Line, Transformed, Chromosome Mapping, Chromosomes, Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial, Databases, Genetic, Gene Duplication, Molecular Sequence Data, Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid, Trypanosoma brucei brucei