Identification of the 12S rRNA Gene Promoter in Leptomonas seymouri Mitochondrial DNA

Conserved repeats in the kinetoplast maxicircle divergent region of Leishmania sp. and Leptomonas seymouri

“…Sequences involved in transcription of several maxicircle genes of L. seymouri (Bessolitsyna et al 2006 in manuscript) including the 12S rRNA gene (Vasil'eva et al 2004) have been mapped recently, and a potential promoter consensus (including the A 5-6 C sequence) has been described (see Introduction). Multiple sequences (termed Leptomonas-like, potential promoters or A 5 C-elements) resembling this consensus have been found in the DRs of the studied species.…”

“…Promoters for the 12S rRNA gene were roughly localized in the DR of T. brucei (Michelotti et al 1992) and Leptomonas seymouri (Vasil'eva et al 2004). Sequences essential for kinetoplast DNA replication (conserved sequence blocks, CSB I-III) were also found within the DR (Horvath et al 1990;Myler et al 1993).…”

“…Partial but extensive DR sequences of Leishmania major have been obtained by our group recently ; also maxicircle non-coding regions of Trypanosoma cruzi strains CL Brener and Esmeraldo have been assembled from whole-genome shotgun sequences (Westenberger et al 2006). In addition, potential promoters have been located in the DR of L. seymouri (Vasil'eva et al 2004). Initially, the 5¢-terminal sequence of the 12S rRNA gene primary transcript was determined by Primer Extension, Elution, Tailing, and Amplification (PEETA).…”

“…Transcription of this construct was assessed by RT-PCR with transcript-and vector-specific primers. It was demonstrated that an upstream sequence as short as 24 bp is still capable of promoting effective transcription, shorter sequences being absolutely ineffective (Vasil'eva et al 2004).…”

“…Predicted bent fragments are indicated by lines and rectangles below the maps; A 5 C-elements are indicated by arrows above and below the maps. The squared A 5 C-element overlaps with the fragment essential for the 12S rRNA gene transcription initiation in Leptomonas seymouri (Vasil'eva et al 2004). Known and predicted (in the case of Leptomonas seymouri) gRNA genes and CSBs (designated I-III for CSB-I-III, respectively) are also mapped.…”