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The mitochondrial genome of Trypanosoma brucei is organized in the form of a complex catenated network of circular DNA molecules. This mass of DNA, known as the kinetoplast, is present at a unique site in the single mitochondrion, and is replicated in a discrete, periodic S phase of the cell cycle. The single-copy nature of the kinetoplast suggests that there is a mechanism ensuring segregation fidelity of replicated copies to each daughter cell. Historically, speculation regarding the nature of this mechanism has often attributed significance to the close association between the kinetoplast and the flagellum basal body. We provide here direct evidence that this mitochondrial DNA complex is indeed linked to the basal body, and segregation of the kinetoplast DNA is dependent on a microtubule-mediated separation of the new and old flagellar basal bodies during the cell cycle. This unique system may represent the remnants of an evolutionarily archaic mechanism for genome segregation.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/352731a0

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nature

Publication Date

22/08/1991

Volume

352

Pages

731 - 733

Keywords

Animals, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Cell Cycle, DNA, Mitochondrial, Ethidium, Flagella, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Microscopy, Electron, Teniposide, Trypanosoma brucei brucei