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Circular molecules in the β-satellite DNA of Chlamydomonas reinhardii

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Summary

The β-satellite DNA (chloroplast DNA) of Chlamydomonas reinhardii has been shown to contain a homogeneous population of circular molecules of about 62 μm contour length. Evidence is presented that this molecule is a monomer and that the β-satellite is a homogeneous DNA species. A second class of circular molecules of as yet unknown intracellular origin, having a circumference of about 27 μm, has also been observed. Our data demonstrate that the sizes of circular chloroplast DNA vary considerably even within the Chlorophyta.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Botanik der Universität, Universitätsstr. 1, D-4000, Düsseldorf, Federal Republic of Germany

    W. Behn & R. G. Herrmann

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  1. W. Behn
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  2. R. G. Herrmann
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Communicated by G. Melchers

There is considerable confusion in the literature with regard to the correct nomenclature for the species C. reinhardii (-di,-dii,-dti,-dtii). According to Prof. Dr. J. Gerloff, Botanischer Garten und Museum, Berlin-Dahlem, “Chlamydomonas reinhardii” is correct. This term is based on § 73 of the International Code for Botanical Nomenclature and on the fact that Reinhard himself transcribed his name from Russian with “d”. Thus, Dangeard's first description “Reinhardtii” is orthographically incorrect

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Behn, W., Herrmann, R.G. Circular molecules in the β-satellite DNA of Chlamydomonas reinhardii . Molec. Gen. Genet. 157, 25–30 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00268683

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00268683

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