Two-dimensional gel analysis of repetitive nuclear DNA sequences in the genome of Physarum polycephalum. Developmental regulation of the ribosomal gene number.

The composition of repetitive sequences in restriction patterns of nuclear DNA of Physarum polycephalum was determined by high-resolution gel analysis. Three types of repeated DNA fragments in the size range of (0.2-2) X 10(3) base pairs could be identified as discrete spots on the gels and distinguished by their abundance and above-average base composition of either guanine and cytosine (G + C) or adenine and thymidine (A + T). On comparing the DNA composition from exponentially growing plasmodia with that of starved plasmodia, which have become competent to sporulate and have lost 80% of their nuclei, no change was detected among the (A + T)-rich repeat fractions, whereas several of the (G + C)-rich fractions revealed fewer copies in the DNA prepared from starved cells. As shown by hybridization under saturating conditions, the reduction of several (G + C)-rich repeated sequences in the restricted nuclear DNA in sporulation-competent cells can be explained by a 64% elimination of the extrachromosomal nucleolar ribosomal DNA sequences.