Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University, 1994. / Typescript; issued also on microfilm. Sponsor: O. Roger Anderson. Dissertation Committee: Patricia L. Dudley. Includes tables. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-129).

Zugl.: Kassel, Univ., Diss., 2009

Erlangen-Nürnberg, Univ., Diss., 2009.

Bonn, Universiẗat, Diss., 1999.

M.Sc. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

D.Sc. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

In order to expand our understanding of the expression of chloroplast genes, the structure and expression of the Euglena gracilis rpoC1 and rpoC2 loci were studied. The rpoC1 and rpoC2 gene products are similar to the amino- and carboxyl-terminal regions of the $\beta\sp\prime$ subunit of E. coli RNA polymerase. The nucleotide sequence (7,270 bp) was determined for 100% of both strands encoding these two genes. The rpoC1 and rpoC2 genes are located downstream and in the same polarity as the rpoB gene. The organization of the Euglena rpoB-rpoC1-rpoC2 genes is conserved in plant chloroplasts and is similar to the E. coli rpoB-rpoC operon. The Euglena rpoC1 gene (586 codons) encodes a polypeptide with a predicted molecular weight of 68,043. The rpoC1 gene is interrupted by one group II intron of 349 bp, seven group III introns of 107, 100, 119, 97, 110, 102 and 103 bp, and three atypical introns of 210, 213 and 198 bp. The Euglena rpoC2 gene (830 codons) encodes a polypeptide with a predicted molecular weight of 94,628. The rpoC2 gene is interrupted by two group II introns of 580 and 514 bp, respectively. All of the exon-exon junctions were experimentally determined via cDNA cloning and sequencing analysis. Multiple protein alignments of the rpoC1 and rpoC2 gene products with related proteins from bacteria and chloroplasts were used to identify conserved regions. Transcripts from the rpoC1 and rpoC2 loci were characterized via Northern analysis. The rpoB, rpoC1 and rpoC2 genes are cotranscribed. Fully spliced tri-, di- and monocistronic transcripts were detected with hybridization probes specific for each gene. The relative abundance of the rpoC1 and rpoC2 transcripts is similar in RNA from dark- and light-grown Euglena. The mature 5'-ends of the rpoC1 and rpoC2 genes were mapped by primer extension. The 3'-end of the mature rpoC2 transcript was localized via an S1 nuclease protection assay. The rpoC1 and rpoC2 gene products were also compared to the largest subunits of RNA polymerases from archaebacteria and eukaryotes. The evolution of the Euglena genes is discussed.

The chloroplast genes of Euglena gracilis contain more than 100 introns. A comparison of intron content and position among plastid and prokaryote genes has led to the hypothesis that introns have been inserted into chloroplast genes during evolution. Several Euglena loci contain unusual introns. These introns have been characterized by direct primer extension cDNA sequencing, cDNA cloning and sequencing, and northern hybridization. The psbF locus has a 1042 nt intron that appears to be one group II intron inserted into domain V of another group II intron. It was determined that a 618 nt internal intron is first excised from the 1042 nt intron, resulting in a partially spliced pre-mRNA containing a 424 nt group II intron with a spliced domain V. The 424 nt intron is then removed to yield the mature psbF mRNA. The term "twintron" was used to define this new genetic element. Splicing of the internal and external introns occurs via lariat intermediates. The splicing of the 409 nt intron of the rps3 gene was also examined. This intron is a "mixed" twintron, composed of a 311 nt group II intron internal to a 98 nt group III intron. The splicing of four additional introns with mean lengths twice typical group III introns, three within the rpoC1 gene and one within the rpl16 gene, was analyzed. The 1604 nt intron in the psbC gene, which encodes orf458, was also examined. These introns are group III twintrons. Orf458 is encoded within the internal group III intron of the psbC twintron. Splicing of internal introns in three of the five group III twintrons involves multiple 5'- and/or 3'-splice sites. Excised group III introns accumulate as lariat RNAs. Twintrons represent evidence for intron insertion during gene evolution. One possible mechanism for twintron formation is by intron transposition. The disruption of functional domains by internal introns may necessitate a sequential in vivo splicing pathway, requiring excision of internal introns prior to excision of external introns. The origins of alternative splicing and a possible evolutionary relationship between group II, group III and nuclear pre-mRNA introns are discussed.

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