Summary
Malaria parasites contain two extrachromosomal DNAs, a 6 kb repetitive linear molecule which is assigned on the basis of its genetic content to the mitochondria, and a 35 kb transcriptionally active circular molecule whose intracellular location is not known. We used the polymerase chain reaction to detect and estimate the numbers of both molecules in sub-cellular fractions derived from the rodent parasite Plasmodium yoelii. The two DNA molecules were not coordinately partitioned by the fractionation process, the 6 kb molecule being more abundant, relative to the 35 kb circle, in a fraction enriched for mitochondria, the converse being true for a less dense fraction of unknown identity. This implies that the two molecules are located in different cellular compartments, and is consistent with other evidence suggesting they have different evolutionary origins.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aldritt SM, Joseph JT, Wirth DF (1989) Mol Cell Biol 9:3614–3620
Barta JR, Jenkins MC, Danforth HD (1991) Mol Biol Evol 8:345–355
Borst P, Overdulve JP, Weijers PJ, Fase-Fowler F, van den Berg M (1984) Biochim Biophys Acta 781:100–111
Feagin JE, Gardner MJ, Williamson DH, Wilson RJM (1991) J Protozool 38:243–245
Feagin JE, Werner E, Gardner MJ, Williamson DH, Wilson RJM (1992) Nuc Acids Res (in press)
Fry M, Beesley JE (1991) Parasitology 102:17–26
Gajadhar AA, Marquardt WC, Hall R, Gunderson J, Ariztia-Carmona EV, Sogin ML (1991) Mol Biochem Parasitol 45:147–154
Gardner MJ, Bates PA, Ling IT, Moore DJ, McCready S, Gunasekera MBR, Wilson RJM, Williamson DH (1988) Mol Biochem Parasitol 31:11–18
Gardner MJ, Williamson DH, Wilson RJM (1991a) Mol Biochem Parasitol 44:115–124
Gardner MJ, Feagin JE, Moore DJ, Spencer DF, Gray MW, Williamson DH, Wilson RJM (1991b) Mol Biochem Parasitol 48:77–88
Hempelmann E, Ling I, Wilson RJM (1981) Trans Roy Soc Med Hyg 75:855–858
Howe CJ, Smith AG (1991) Nature 349:109
Joseph JT, Aldritt SM, Unnasch T, Puijalon O, Wirth DF (1989) Mol Cell Biol 9:3621–3629
Kilejian A (1975) Biochim Biophys Acta 390:276–284
Pamphilis CW de, Palmer JD (1990) Nature 348:337–339
Suplick K, Morrisey J, Vaidya AB (1990) Mol Cell Biol 10:6381–6388
Thomas AW, Carr DA, Carter JM, Lyon JA (1990) Mol Biochem Parasitol 43:211–220
Trager W, Jenson JB (1978) Nature 273:621–622
Vaidya AB, Akella R, Suplick K (1989) Mol Biochem Parasitol 35:97–107
Vaidya AB, Akella R, Suplick K (1990) Mol Biochem Parasitol 39:295–296
Walliker D, Sanderson A, Yoeli M, Hargreaves BJ (1976) Parasitology 72:183–194
Wallsgrove RM (1991) Nature 350:664
Williams SG, Richards WHG (1973) Ann Trop Med Parasitol 67:169–178
Williamson DH, Wilson RJM, Bates PA, McCready S, Perler F, Qiang B (1985) Mol Biochem Parasitol 14:199–209
Wilson RJM, Gardner MJ, Feagin JE, Williamson DH (1991) Parasitology Today 7:134–136
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by B.S. Cox
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wilson, R.J.M., Fry, M., Gardner, M.J. et al. Subcellular fractionation of the two organelle DNAs of malaria parasites. Curr Genet 21, 405–408 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00351702
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00351702