Genome-wide mapping reveals single-origin chromosome replication in Leishmania, a eukaryotic microbe

Marques, C. A. , Dickens, N. J. , Paape, D. , Campbell, S. J. and McCulloch, R. (2015) Genome-wide mapping reveals single-origin chromosome replication in Leishmania, a eukaryotic microbe. Genome Biology, 16, 230. (doi: 10.1186/s13059-015-0788-9) (PMID:26481451) (PMCID:PMC4612428)

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Abstract

Background DNA replication initiates on defined genome sites, termed origins. Origin usage appears to follow common rules in the eukaryotic organisms examined to date: all chromosomes are replicated from multiple origins, which display variations in firing efficiency and are selected from a larger pool of potential origins. To ask if these features of DNA replication are true of all eukaryotes, we describe genome-wide origin mapping in the parasite Leishmania. Results Origin mapping in Leishmania suggests a striking divergence in origin usage relative to characterized eukaryotes, since each chromosome appears to be replicated from a single origin. By comparing two species of Leishmania, we find evidence that such origin singularity is maintained in the face of chromosome fusion or fission events during evolution. Mapping Leishmania origins suggests that all origins fire with equal efficiency, and that the genomic sites occupied by origins differ from related non-origins sites. Finally, we provide evidence that origin location in Leishmania displays striking conservation with Trypanosoma brucei, despite the latter parasite replicating its chromosomes from multiple, variable strength origins. Conclusions The demonstration of chromosome replication for a single origin in Leishmania, a microbial eukaryote, has implications for the evolution of origin multiplicity and associated controls, and may explain the pervasive aneuploidy that characterizes Leishmania chromosome architecture.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McCulloch, Professor Richard and Paape, Dr Daniel and De Almeida Marques, Dr Catarina and Dickens, Dr Nicholas
Authors: Marques, C. A., Dickens, N. J., Paape, D., Campbell, S. J., and McCulloch, R.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Genome Biology
Publisher:BioMed Central
ISSN:1474-760X
ISSN (Online):1474-760X
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2015 Marques et al.
First Published:First published in Genome Biology 16:230
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
606431Kinase dependent control of DNA replication and repair as a drug target in Trypanosoma brucei.Richard MccullochBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)BB/K006495/1III - PARASITOLOGY
463981Characterisation of Orc1/Cdc6 and DNA replication initiation in Trypanosoma brucei.Richard MccullochWellcome Trust (WELLCOME)083485/Z/07/ZIII - PARASITOLOGY
371796The Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology ( Core Support )Andrew WatersWellcome Trust (WELLCOME)085349/Z/08/ZIII - PARASITOLOGY
371798The Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology ( Core Support )Andrew WatersWellcome Trust (WELLCOME)085349/B/08/ZIII - PARASITOLOGY