Trypanosoma brucei: a surface antigen mRNA is discontinuously transcribed from two distinct chromosomes.

摘要: The mRNAs for variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs) and many other proteins in Trypanosoma brucei start with the same sequence of 35 nucleotides, encoded by a separate mini-exon. There are approximately 200 mini-exon genes per trypanosome these highly clustered on large chromosomes. We have found two variants that express VSG gene located small, 225-kb chromosome. Each yields mRNA containing 35-nucleotide even though chromosome does not contain complete gene. These results provide strong support hypothesis transcription protein-coding trypanosomes is discontinuous.