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Sequence and Characterization of Six Mitochondrial Subgenomes from Globodera rostochiensis: Multipartite Structure Is Conserved Among Close Nematode Relatives

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Abstract

Recently, a multipartite mitochondrial genome was characterized in the potato cyst nematode, Globodera pallida. Six subgenomic circles were detectable by PCR, while full-length genomes were not. We investigate here whether this subgenomic organization occurs in a close relative of G. pallida. We amplified and sequenced one entire mitochondrial subgenome from the cyst-forming nematode, Globodera rostochiensis. Comparison of the noncoding region of this subgenome with those reported previously for G. pallida facilitated the design of amplification primers for a range of subgenomes from G. rostochiensis. We then randomly sequenced five subgenomic fragments, each representative of a unique subgenome. This study indicates that the multipartite structure reported for G. pallida is conserved in G. rostochiensis. A comparison of subgenomic organization between these two Globodera species indicates a considerable degree of overlap between them. Indeed, we identify two subgenomes with an organization identical with that reported for G. pallida. However, other subgenomes are unique to G. rostochiensis, although some of these have blocks of genes comparable to those in G. pallida. Dot-plot comparisons of pairs of subgenomes from G. rostochiensis indicate that the different subgenomes share fragments with high sequence identity. We interpret this as evidence that recombination is operating in the mitochondria of G. rostochiensis.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to Ian Riley for helpful discussions on nematode biology, and to two anonymous reviewers who provided insightful comments on an earlier version of this article. This work was funded by grants from the Australian Research Council, the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, and EU AIR3 CT-92-0062.

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Correspondence to Mark Dowton.

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Reviewing Editor: Dr. Rafael Zardoya

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Gibson, T., Blok, V.C. & Dowton, M. Sequence and Characterization of Six Mitochondrial Subgenomes from Globodera rostochiensis: Multipartite Structure Is Conserved Among Close Nematode Relatives. J Mol Evol 65, 308–315 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00239-007-9007-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00239-007-9007-y

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