Brian P. Kaine

Bio: Brian P. Kaine is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Gene & Transfer RNA. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 2 publications receiving 154 citations.

Putative introns in tRNA genes of prokaryotes.

Abstract: Sequences of two putative tRNA genes, for serine and leucine, from the archaebacterium Sulfolobus solfataricus contain intervening sequences in the anticodon region. Furthermore, the genes lack encoded CCA 3' termini and are flanked by A + T-rich DNA segments. The introns can both form the same secondary structure, which is a double-helical extension of the anticodon stalk. The resulting structure contains two symmetrically placed 3-base bulge loops, in which are located cleavage sites for the introns. In the one case tested, the gene occurs as a single copy in the genome.

Phylogenetic meaning of the kingdom concept: an unusual ribosomal RNA from Giardia lamblia

Abstract: An analysis of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (16S-like rRNA) from the protozoan Giardia lamblia provided a new perspective on the evolution of nucleated cells. Evolutionary distances estimated from sequence comparisons between the 16S-like rRNAs of Giardia lamblia and other eukaryotes exceed similar estimates of evolutionary diversity between archaebacteria and eubacteria and challenge the phylogenetic significance of multiple eukaryotic kingdoms. The Giardia lamblia 16S-like rRNA has retained many of the features that may have been present in the common ancestor of eukaryotes and prokaryotes.

The Origin and Evolution of Retroposons

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter describes the origin and evolution of retroposons. It deals with two of them which operate on very different timescales: (1) RNA splicing (particularly messenger RNA splicing), which is the excision of transcribed noncoding sequences from RNA during normal gene expression and (2) retroposition, which is the insertion of reverse-transcribed sequences from RNA back into the genome during evolution. RNA splicing was the first and most surprising discovery of eukaryotic molecular genetics. Retroposons are a class of dispersed sequences in DNA, which appear to have arisen during evolution by a particular mechanism of inserting RNA sequences into chromosomal DNA (retroposition). They include processed mRNA pseudogenes, snRNA pseudogenes, the highly repeated ALU sequences, and a variety of other sequences. They are entirely distinct from transposons and retroviruses. The chapter explains the splicing of ribosomal RNA, mitochondrial RNA, and chloroplast RNA.

Phenotypic characterization of the archaebacterial genus Sulfolobus: comparison of five wild-type strains.

Abstract: Though amenable to routine manipulation and a popular subject of molecular genetic and biochemical studies on archaebacteria, the genus Sulfolobus has remained poorly described in phenotypic terms. To delineate their physiological capabilities and diversity, five laboratory strains, including type strains of the described species Sulfolobus acidocaldarius and S. solfataricus, were compared with respect to a variety of growth and biochemical parameters, including component profile of the surface-layer cell wall, inhibitors of growth, growth rate as a function of temperature and pH, and compounds used as sole sources of carbon or nitrogen. Motility and photoregulated production of an orange pigment were detected in all five strains tested. The results provide new criteria for distinguishing Sulfolobus strains as well as potential tools for the physiological and genetic manipulation of these extreme thermophiles. Images

Biochemical taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of the genus chlorella sensu lato (chlorophyta)

Abstract: A multimethod approach was used to characterize unicellular green algae that were traditionally assigned to the genus Chlorella Beijerinck and to resolve their phylogenetic relationships within the Chlorophyta. Biochemical, physiological, and ultrastructural characters, together with molecular data such as DNA base composition and DNA hybridization values, were compared with a molecular phylogeny based on complete 18S rRNA sequences. Our results show that Chlorella taxa are dispersed over two classes of chlorophytes, the Trebouxiophyceae and the Chlorophyceae. We propose that only four species should be kept in the genus Chlorella (Chlorophyta, Trebouxiophyceae): C. vulgaris Beijerinck, C. lobophora Andreyeva, C. sorokiniana Shih. et %