Megasatellites: a new class of large tandem repeats discovered in the pathogenic yeast Candida glabrata

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2010 Mar;67(5):671-6. doi: 10.1007/s00018-009-0216-y. Epub 2009 Nov 28.

Abstract

Megasatellites are DNA tandem arrays made of large motifs; they were discovered in the yeast Candida glabrata. They are widespread in this species (40 copies) but are not found in any other hemiascomycete so far, raising the intriguing question of their origin. They are found mainly in genes encoding cell wall products, suggesting that megasatellites were selected for a function linked to cell-cell adhesion or to pathogenicity. Their putative role in promoting genome rearrangements by interfering with DNA replication will also be discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Candida glabrata / genetics*
  • Candida glabrata / pathogenicity
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • DNA, Satellite / classification
  • DNA, Satellite / genetics*
  • DNA, Satellite / physiology
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Genome, Fungal
  • Models, Biological
  • Tandem Repeat Sequences / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal
  • DNA, Satellite