Identification Of The Rad51 Gene In The Vaginal Parasite Trichomonas vaginalis

Poster Number

10

Format

Poster Presentation

Abstract/Artist Statement

I am using degenerate PCR to search for the homolog of the Rad51 gene in the single- celled protist Trichomonas vaginalis. In other eukaryotes, the Rad51 gene functions to promote recombination during meiosis and acts in DNA repair during mitosis. Meiotic recombination is the process where homologous chromosomes exchange DNA with one another, resulting in an increase in genetic variation within the daughter cells. While recombination appears to be absolutely required by most eukaryotes that reproduce sexually, meiotic recombination appears to be absent in many species of protists and used only as a stress response in many others. So far, no one has seen Trichomonas vaginalis have sex. One theory suggests that sex initially evolved as a DNA repair mechanism in single-celled eukaryotes like T. vaginalis. When we clone the Rad51 gene from T. vaginalis, it will help us understand whether this species uses Rad51 just for DNA repair, or if T. vaginalis uses Rad51 in a sexual stage that has yet to be seen.

Location

Pacific Geosciences Center

Start Date

30-4-2005 1:00 PM

End Date

30-4-2005 3:00 PM

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Identification Of The Rad51 Gene In The Vaginal Parasite Trichomonas vaginalis

Pacific Geosciences Center

I am using degenerate PCR to search for the homolog of the Rad51 gene in the single- celled protist Trichomonas vaginalis. In other eukaryotes, the Rad51 gene functions to promote recombination during meiosis and acts in DNA repair during mitosis. Meiotic recombination is the process where homologous chromosomes exchange DNA with one another, resulting in an increase in genetic variation within the daughter cells. While recombination appears to be absolutely required by most eukaryotes that reproduce sexually, meiotic recombination appears to be absent in many species of protists and used only as a stress response in many others. So far, no one has seen Trichomonas vaginalis have sex. One theory suggests that sex initially evolved as a DNA repair mechanism in single-celled eukaryotes like T. vaginalis. When we clone the Rad51 gene from T. vaginalis, it will help us understand whether this species uses Rad51 just for DNA repair, or if T. vaginalis uses Rad51 in a sexual stage that has yet to be seen.