Presence of a bent helix in fragments of kinetoplast DNA minicircles from several trypanosomatid species

Mol Biochem Parasitol. 1984 Jul;12(3):273-86. doi: 10.1016/0166-6851(84)90084-7.

Abstract

Some restriction fragments of kinetoplast minicircles from several trypanosomatid species (Leishmania tarentolae, Trypanosoma brucei, T. equiperdum, Herpetomonas muscarum, Crithidia fasciculata, but not T. cruzi) migrate anomalously on polyacrylamide gels. This behavior is probably due to a natural curvature of the helix. Bent helices appear to be a common property of kinetoplast minicircles, and may be important for minicircle function. In the case of T. equiperdum, we present evidence that each minicircle has a single bent region which resides in or near the 'conserved sequence.'

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Crithidia / analysis
  • DNA Restriction Enzymes
  • DNA, Circular*
  • DNA, Kinetoplast
  • DNA, Mitochondrial*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Trypanosoma / analysis*
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / analysis

Substances

  • DNA, Circular
  • DNA, Kinetoplast
  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • DNA Restriction Enzymes