From the Cover: mitotic gene conversion events induced in G1-synchronized yeast cells by gamma rays are similar to spontaneous conversion events.

Lee, Phoebe S; Petes, Thomas D · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · 2010

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

In a previous study, we mapped spontaneous mitotic reciprocal crossovers (RCOs) in a 120-kb interval of chromosome V of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. About three-quarters of the crossovers were associated with gene conversion tracts. About 40% of these conversion tracts had the pattern expected as a consequence of repair of a double-stranded DNA break (DSB) of an unreplicated chromosome. We test this hypothesis by examining the crossovers and gene conversion events induced by gamma irradiation in G1- and G2-arrested diploid yeast cells. The gene conversion patterns of G1-irradiated cells (but not G2-irradiated cells) mimic conversion events associated with spontaneous RCOs, confirming our previous conclusion that many spontaneous crossovers are initiated by a DSB on an unreplicated chromosome.

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