Background: A substantial fraction of non-coding DNA sequences of multicellular eukaryotes is under selective constraint. In particular, similar to 5% of the human genome consists of conserved non-coding sequences (CNSs). CNSs differ from other genomic sequences in their nucleotide composition and must play important functional roles, which mostly remain obscure. Results: We investigated relative abundances… [Read More]

Within the salamander family Plethodontidae, five different clades have evolved high levels of enucleated red blood cells, which are extremely unusual among non-mammalian vertebrates. In each of these five clades, the salamanders have large genomes and miniaturized or attenuated body forms. Such a correlation suggests that the loss of nuclei in red blood cells may… [Read More]

This paper describes the genome sequence of Moorella thermoacetica (f. Clostridium thermoaceticum), which is the model acetogenic bacterium that has been widely used for elucidating the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway of CO and CO(2) fixation. This pathway, which is also known as the reductive acetyl-CoA pathway, allows acetogenic (often called homoacetogenic) bacteria to convert glucose stoichiometrically into… [Read More]

T-box genes encode a family of DNA-binding transcription factors implicated in numerous developmental processes in all metazoans. The Tbx2/3/4/5 subfamily genes are especially interesting because of their key roles in the evolution of vertebrate appendages, eyes, and the heart, and, like the Hox genes, the longevity of their chromosomal linkage. A BAC library derived from… [Read More]

High-density whole-genome cDNA microarrays were used to investigate substrate-dependent gene expression of Methylibium petroleiphilum PM1, one of the best-characterized aerobic methyll tert-butyl ether (MTBE)degrading bacteria. Differential gene expression profiling was conducted with PM1 grown on MTBE and ethanol as sole carbon sources. Based on microarray high scores and protein similarity analysis, an MTBE regulon located… [Read More]

The cnidocil at the apical end of Hydra nematocytes is a mechanosensory cilium, which acts as a “trigger” for discharge of the nematocyst capsule. The cnidocil protrudes from the center of the cnidocil apparatus and is composed of singlet and doublet microtubules surrounding an electron-dense central filament. In this paper, we identify a novel protein,… [Read More]