In prokaryotes and eukaryotes mobile genetic elements frequently disrupt the highly conservative structures of chromosomes, which are responsible for storage of genetic information. The factors determining the site for integration of such elements are still unknown. Transfer RNA (tRNA) genes are associated in a highly significant manner with different putative mobile genetic elements in the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. These results suggest that tRNA genes in D. discoideum, and probably tRNA genes generally in lower eukaryotes, may function as genomic landmarks for the integration of different transposable elements in a strictly position-specific manner.

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We describe the generation of Dictyostelium discoideum cell lines that carry different suppressor tRNA genes. These genes were constructed by primer-directed mutagenesis changing a tRNA(Trp)(CCA) gene from D. discoideum to a tRNA(Trp)(amber) gene and changing a tRNA(Glu)(UUC) gene from D. discoideum to a tRNA(Glu)(ochre) as well as a tRNA(Glu)(amber) gene. These genes were stably integrated into the D. discoideum genome together with a reporter gene. An actin 6::lacZ gene fusion carrying corresponding translational stop signals served as a reported. Active beta-galactosidase is expressed only in D. discoideum strains that contain, in addition to the reporter, a functional suppressor tRNA. Both amber suppressors are active in D. discoideum without interfering significantly with cell growth and development. We failed, however, to establish cell lines containing a functional tRNA(Glu)(ochre) suppressor. This may be due to the fact that nearly every message from D. discoideum known so far terminates with UAA. Therefore a tRNA capable of reading this termination codon may not be compatible with cell growth.

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