Structures of naturally evolved CUP1 tandem arrays in yeast indicate that these arrays are generated by unequal nonhomologous recombination

G3 (Bethesda). 2014 Sep 17;4(11):2259-69. doi: 10.1534/g3.114.012922.

Abstract

An important issue in genome evolution is the mechanism by which tandem duplications are generated from single-copy genes. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, most strains contain tandemly duplicated copies of CUP1, a gene that encodes a copper-binding metallothionein. By screening 101 natural isolates of S. cerevisiae, we identified five different types of CUP1-containing repeats, as well as strains that only had one copy of CUP1. A comparison of the DNA sequences of these strains indicates that the CUP1 tandem arrays were generated by unequal nonhomologous recombination events from strains that had one CUP1 gene.

Keywords: Saccharomyces cerevisiae; copper resistance; recombination; tandemly repeated genes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Gene Duplication*
  • Homologous Recombination*
  • Metallothionein / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*

Substances

  • CUP1-1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Metallothionein