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. 1995 Mar 14;92(6):1979–1983. doi: 10.1073/pnas.92.6.1979

Developmentally excised DNA sequences in Euplotes crassus capable of forming G quartets.

L A Klobutcher 1
PMCID: PMC42406  PMID: 7892211

Abstract

Tens of thousands of DNA segments are eliminated by DNA breakage and rejoining events during the formation of a new macronucleus in the hypotrichous ciliated protozoan Euplotes crassus. This study presents evidence for a class of eliminated sequences referred to as telomeric-repeat-like internal eliminated sequences (TelIESs). TelIESs are shorter (< 50 bp) than most previously characterized IESs and their DNA sequences resemble the telomeric repeat sequences of the organism. The TelIESs are excised during the developmental period of chromosome fragmentation/telomere addition, which is later than previously characterized IESs. Additional studies demonstrate that oligonucleotides representing the TelIESs are, like telomeric repeats, capable of forming G-quartet structures in vitro.

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