Molecular biology of the genes for immobilization antigens in Paramecium

Abstract

Several genes for surface antigens of the Paramecium aurelia complex of species have been isolated. In addition to known deletions of the 51A gene, we have obtained deletions involving the 51B gene and have developed a procedure for obtaining deletions of additional genes. Both Mendelian and non-Mendelian deletions of both the A and B genes have been found. In the non-Mendelian deletions the genes are present in the micronuclei and absent in the macronuclei. Processing of micronuclear DNA into new macronuclear DNA at conjugation and autogamy is under the control of the old macronucleus, and newly forming macronuclei become exactly like the old. Thus in the non-Mendelian mutants, macronuclei have a specific antigen gene deleted and also are impaired in their ability to direct normal DNA processing at the next conjugation or autogamy. These cases, along with others, show that this system of macronuclear control is a fundamental feature of ciliate genetics. The sequence of the 51A and 51C genes is described and compared with the 156G and 51H genes obtained by others. The 51A and 156G genes are remarkably similar while 51C and 51H are rather different. No introns or pseudogenes have been observed. Some, possibly all, of the genes are on the ends of chromosomes. Characteristic upstream and downstream sequences adjacent to the coding portions of the genes are given. The sequences UAA and UAG are preferred over CAA and CAG for glutamine while UGA is the true stop codon.