Open AccessNested DNA inversion as a paradigm of programmed gene rearrangement
Author(s) -
Joel Dworkin,
Martin J. Blaser
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.94.3.985
Subject(s) - biology , gene , genetics , dna , genome , chromosomal inversion , orfs , gene rearrangement , gene expression , open reading frame , peptide sequence , karyotype , chromosome
Programmed gene rearrangements are employed by a variety of microorganisms, including viruses, prokaryotes, and simple eukaryotes, to control gene expression. In most instances in which organisms mediate host evasion by large families of homologous gene cassettes, the mechanism of variation is not thought to involve DNA inversion. Here we report thatCampylobacter fetus , a pathogenic Gram-negative bacterium, reassorts a single promoter, controlling surface-layer protein expression, and one or more complete ORFs strictly by DNA inversion. Rearrangements were independent of the distance between sites of inversion. These rearrangements permit variation in protein expression from the large surface-layer protein gene family and suggest an expanding paradigm of programmed DNA rearrangements among microorganisms.