Genetic and cytogenetic analyses of the A genome of Triticum monococcum. IV. Synaptonemal complex formation in autotetraploids

Genome ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. B. Gillies ◽  
J. Kuspira ◽  
R. N. Bhambhani

Electron microscopy of synaptonemal complex spreads from autotetraploid Triticum monococcum (2n = 4x = 28) revealed a minimum mean of 3.59 multivalents per zygotene–pachytene nucleus. The range of values was from 1 to 6 multivalents per nucleus. Most of the multivalents were quadrivalents with single, medially located pairing partner switch points. Lateral element pairing switches, particularly the few multiple switches, were often accompanied by extensive asynapsis around the switch point. The synaptonemal complex multivalent frequency is considerably higher than the metaphase I quadrivalent frequency previously reported for the same material. Calculations of expected pachytene quadrivalent frequency from metaphase I data, using several published theoretical models, gave values that did not agree with the results obtained here. The difference between the multivalent frequencies at pachytene and metaphase I does not appear to be the result of a correction process. Instead, it could be caused by a combination of preferential pairing or crossing-over and the effects of the position of partner switches and asynapsis associated with switches. Key words: autotetraploid, multivalents, synaptonemal complex, pairing effects.

Genome ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 565-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.-S. Kim ◽  
J. Kuspira

Cytogenetic studies in Triticum monococcum (2n = 2x = 14, AA) were initiated by generating a series of primary as well as double and triple trisomics from autotriploids derived from crosses between induced autotetraploids and a diploid progenitor. Analysis of meiotic chromosome behaviour revealed that, with the exception of primary trisomics for chromosome 7A, the chromosome present in triple dose in all other trisomics formed either a bivalent plus a univalent or a trivalent (always V shaped) at diakinesis – metaphase I in approximately equal proportions. Trisomics for chromosome 7A formed a bivalent plus a univalent or a trivalent in approximately a 1:2 ratio. About 99% of the anaphase I segregations in all the trisomics were seven to one pole and eight to the other, suggesting that primary trisomics in T. monococcum form n and n + 1 meiotic products in equal proportions. The double trisomics and triple trisomics formed 5 II + 2 III and 4 II + 3 III during metaphase I, respectively. A majority of the secondary meiocytes from the double and triple trisomics possessed unbalanced chromosome numbers. All the trisomics differed phenotypically from their diploid progenitors. Single primary trisomics for chromosomes 3A and 7A produced distinct morphological features on the basis of which they could be distinguished. The phenotypes of the double and triple trisomics deviated to a greater extent from that of diploids than those of the single trisomics. Less than 50% of the progeny of all primary trisomics were trisomics themselves. Trisomic progeny were not produced in diploid female × trisomic male crosses, indicating that functional n + 1 male gametes were not generated. Diploid as well as trisomic progeny were produced in the reciprocal crosses and upon self-fertilization of the trisomics. The average frequency of trisomic progeny was 9.9%. The fertility of primary trisomics ranged from 3.8% in trisomics for chromosome 1A to 40.6% in trisomics for chromosome 2A and was significantly less than that of diploids (99.6%). The breeding behaviour and low fertility of these trisomics make their maintenance and use in cytogenetic analyses difficult.Key words: Triticum monococcum, primary trisomics, double trisomics, triple trisomics, meiotic chromosome behaviour, phenotypes, breeding behaviour, fertility.


1992 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-422
Author(s):  
G. Jenkins ◽  
A. Okumus

Seedlings of Allium fistulosum (2n=2x=16) were treated with aqueous colchicine with the intention of inducing tetraploidy. One treated, but undoubled, diploid mutant is described which consistently fails to form any chiasmata at diakinesis and metaphase I of meiosis. Electron microscopy of whole-mount surface-spread synaptonemal complex complements of pollen mother cell nuclei revealed that the achiasmate condition is probably due not only to the failure to complete synapsis, but also to the indiscriminate way in which the chromosomes form synaptonemal complexes during meiotic prophase. Synapsis begins and progresses with complete disregard to homology, with frequent exchanges of pairing partners resulting in the formation of multiple associations comprising heterologous chromosomes. Intrachromosomal synapsis is also evident as fold-back loops. Up to 78% of lateral element length is incorporated into synaptonemal complex, the morphology of which is not unlike that of normal A. fistulosum and other Allium species described previously. However, all the synaptonemal complexes are ineffective in terms of supporting chiasmata, since 16 univalents enter metaphase I and disjoin irregularly at anaphase I. The mutant is as a consequence completely male sterile. The synaptic behaviour observed confirms that the recognition of homology is an independent process and not a prerequisite for synaptonemal complex formation. It is hoped this mutant will be a valuable tool for probing the molecular basis of homology.


1985 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kuspira ◽  
R. N. Bhambmani ◽  
T. Shimada

Autotetraploids were colchicine-induced in Triticum monococcum and, upon comparison to their diploid progenitor, possessed the following characteristics: (i) their cells were on the average 20.8% larger; (ii) plant height was reduced by 15% and tillering by 37.5%; (iii) spikes, 1000-kernel weight, pistil size (length (L)/weight (W), and leaf size (L/W) were 53.9, 51.2, 80/57.1, and 60/26.4% larger, respectively; and (iv) they were 12.4% earlier in heading. Observed mean numbers of univalents, bivalents, trivalents (linear, convergent, and indifferent coorientations), and quadrivalents (convergent and parallel alignments only) per microsporocyte at metaphase I were 0.62, 9.86, 0.23, and 1.74, respectively; 65.4% of all meiocytes possessed bivalents and (or) quadrivalents and produced balanced meiotic products; 34.6% also possessed univalents and (or) trivalents and, therefore, produced balanced and unbalanced meiotic products. The actual 70.9% balanced meiotic products falls within the calculated range of 65.4–81.3%. Our tetraploids breed true. Evidence and reasons for this are discussed. The fertility of our tetraploids was high (79.8%). Irregular chromosome behaviour during meiosis may play a decisive role in determining the fertility level. Genic factors may also be involved. Methods of improving fertility and whether chromosomal factors alone are responsible for tetraploid fertility levels are discussed. Mature seed from reciprocal 2n = 4x × 2n = 2x crosses was shrivelled because of endosperm collapse and did not germinate. Thus, embryo excision and culturing on artificial medium was required to obtain viable autotriploids.Key words: Triticum monococcum, autotetraploid, cytology, breeding behavior, fertility, morphology.


Genome ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. de Jong ◽  
J. van Eden ◽  
J. Sybenga

Four rye plants heterozygous for translocation 248, involving chromosomes 1R and 6R, were used for a comparative study of synaptonemal complex formation at midprophase I and chromosome configurations at metaphase I. Synaptonemal complexes were obtained with a cell-spreading technique and studied with electron microscopy. The total length of the synaptonemal complexes in the 28 analyzable pachytene nuclei varied considerably, both within and among plants. The variation of synaptonemal complex lengths of the bivalents in a nucleus was partly stage dependent; i.e., it was greater at early than at late pachytene. In all but one pachytene nucleus, pairing in the quadrivalent was regular, and the four pairing arms were usually easy to identify. Most noticeable was the variation of pairing saturation at the breakpoint of the quadrivalent. Pairing in the breakpoint region was delayed with respect to the pairing in the bivalents. Variation in the arm lengths of the quadrivalent was the result of incomplete and nonhomologous pairing at the breakpoint as well as differential contraction rates among chromosome segments. It was shown that the completion of delayed pairing throughout pachytene is mainly long-arm pairing. The actual breakpoint was therefore not in the middle of the unpaired segments, but more distal. The analysis of metaphase I nuclei revealed that chiasma frequency in this material was higher than in similar material used in former studies. When one of the translocation segments lacked a chiasma, this was in most cases the short translocated segment 1RS, the terminal segment of the satellite of chromosome 1R. Positive chiasma interference was demonstrated between the interstitial and exchanged segment in 1RS. This agreed with the observation of a negative correlation in extent of pairing between these two segments. Other interference phenomena, which have been described for this translocation in other material, remained undetected because of lack of variation in chiasma formation owing to high chiasma frequency.Key words: Secale cereale, meiosis, translocation, synaptonemal complex, metaphase I.


1986 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 867-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kuspira ◽  
R. N. Bhambhani ◽  
R. S. Sadasivaiah ◽  
D. Hayden

Mature triploid seed from reciprocal (2n = 4x × 2n = 2x) crosses in Triticum monococcum was minute and shrivelled because of endosperm collapse and therefore failed to germinate. This necessitated the excision of embryos from successful pollinations and their growth in vitro to ensure subsequent germination so as to obtain viable and vigorous autotriploids. A comparison of these triploids with their diploid and tetraploid progenitors revealed that cell size, kernel weight, and pistil size increased with an increase in ploidy level. However, unlike other species, optimum expression was observed in these triploids for plant height, tillering, size of spikes, number of spikelets/spike, and leaf size. Earliness, althoughenhanced in tetraploids relative to diploids, was delayed in the triploids. Mean numbers of univalents, bivalents, and trivalents per microsporocyte were 2.65, 2.60, and 4.38, respectively. Only chains (93.5%), which formed V-shaped metaphase I (MI) configurations, frying pan (5.0%), and Y-shaped (1.5%) trivalent associations occurred. On the average, two reciprocal exchanges occurred per bivalent and trivalent. Trivalents corriented randomly at MI. At anaphase I, all sets of three homologues segreated randomly to the two poles, lagging univalents always divided equationally, and only meiocytes with such chromosomes formed micronuclei. The reasons for similarities and differences in meiotic behaviour of T. monococcum triploids with those of other species are discussed. Confirmation of the conclusions drawn with respect to the cytology of the triploids was obtained from similar cytological observations with primary single trisomics. These triploids produced euploids, primary single trisomics as well as some double and triple trisomics all of which differed phenotypically from diploids. Triticum monococcum, like most diploid species, is highly intolerant of aneuploidy. Possible reasons for the differences in levels of tolerance of aneuploidy in species like T. monococcum and those like Petunia hybrida, which are highly tolerant of aneuploidy, are discussed. Pollen fertility was high and seed fertility was very low. Reasons for the latter as well as the high fertility in species that are highly tolerant of aneuploidy and allotriploids are discussed.Key words: Triticum monococcum, autotriploid, trisomic, cytology, breeding behavior, fertility, morphology.


Genome ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 901-907 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. B. Gillies ◽  
A. J. Lukaszewski

Zygotene–pachytene nuclei from a rye line heterozygous for most terminal C-bands were found by electron microscopic spreading analysis to have unequal lateral elements at most synaptonemal complex telomeres. An unpaired lateral element protruded beyond the end of the synaptonemal complex at each such telomere. Another rye line with only one C-band heterozygous telomere had only one uneven synaptonemal complex telomere. The length differences between paired lateral elements in heterozygotes (both total complement and individual synaptonemal complexes) was considerably less than the difference in DNA content or somatic metaphase chromosome size between C-band positive and C-band negative lines. There was no evidence of a synaptic adjustment effect reducing the telomere length differences in later pachytene–diplotene stage nuclei. Heterozygosity for the 1RL terminal C-band resulted in a slight reduction in chiasma frequency in that arm but no shift in chiasma position.Key words: rye, C-bands, telomeres, chromosome pairing, synaptonemal complex.


Genome ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 662-667
Author(s):  
M Martínez ◽  
C Cuadrado ◽  
J Sybenga ◽  
C Romero

Synaptic behaviour of the two tetraploids rye cultivars Gigantón (G) and Tetrapico (T) displaying significant differences in their quadrivalent frequencies at metaphase I was analyzed by electron microscopy in surface-spread prophase I nuclei. A different behaviour was observed between the two cultivars; the synaptonemal complex (SC) quadrivalents frequency being significantly higher in G than in T at prophase I. Moreover, the G SC quadrivalents had more synaptic partner exchanges (SPEs) and their location was more distal than the T SC quadrivalents. However, inverse findings were found at metaphase I, the quadrivalent frequency was higher in T than in G. The role that different factors, mainly the number and location of the SPEs and the frequency and distribution of chiasmata, could play in the evolution from prophase I to metaphase I in both cultivars is discussed.Key words: autotetraploid rye, synaptonemal complex, spreading.


Genome ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 849-854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nam-Soo Kim ◽  
J. Kuspira

Telotrisomics (2n = 14 + t) were obtained from primary trisomics for chromosome 5A in Triticum monococcum. Subsequently, a ditelotetrasomic (2n = 14 + 2t) plant was obtained from these telotrisomics. C-banding analysis revealed that the extra telocentric chromosome in these aneuploids consisted of the short arm of chromosome 5A (triplo 5AS). Of 78 meiocytes studied at diakinesis and metaphase I in the telotrisomics, 20 (27.0%), 46 (58.9%), and 12 (14.1%) showed 6 II + 1 III,6 II + 3 I, and 7 II + 1 I configurations, respectively. Although the majority of the cells (84%) at anaphase I (AI) in the telotrisomics showed a 7–8 chromosome segregation, chromosome laggards were also observed. Their frequency (16%) was much higher than in primary trisomics. In a ditelotetrasomic plant, 14, 6, 8, and 4 cells of the 42 meiocytes studied showed 6 II + 1 IV, 7 II + 2 I, 6 II + 1 III + 1 I, and 8 II configurations, respectively. Approximately 62% of the meiocytes at AI in this plant showed an 8–8 chromosome segregation. Compared with primary trisomics and diploids, telotrisomics showed an intermediate phenotype for many of the characters studied. The telotrisomics headed earlier than primary trisomics, but later than diploids. The ditelotetrasomic headed much later than the telotrisomics. The ditelotetrasomic plant also showed very deleterious phenotypes such as slow growth and degeneration of tillers during the later stage of growth. An average of 51.7% of the florets of the telotrisomics exhibited seed set under greenhouse growing conditions. Fertility of the ditelotetrasomic plant on the other hand was very low (2.5%) under the same growing conditions.Key words: Triticum monococcum, C-bands, A genome.


Genome ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 888-894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto J. Solari ◽  
Carlos J. Tandler

Spermatocytes at meiotic metaphase I and anaphase I have a characteristic centromeric filament in a variety of vertebrate organisms. This centromeric filament was first demonstrated on mouse spermatocytes and its presence is now extended to spermatocytes from the human, rat, golden hamster, bull, and chicken. The visualization of this filament was possible through the use of a novel silver-staining technique, which allows a high contrast between the filament and the centromeric chromatin. In the species cited, the centromeric filament shares an intense staining, a short (0.2–0.6 μm) length, a curved and branched shape, and location inside the centromeric chromatin of seemingly every homologue of the complement. The similarity of staining reactivity and the observation of transitional structures during first meiotic prophase strongly suggest that the centromeric filament is a remnant of a lateral element of the synaptonemal complex, which stays specifically at both centromeric regions of each bivalent. This filament is not found at the second meiotic division or at the centromeres of mitotic chromosomes. It is assumed that this centromeric filament joins the two sister chromatids of each homologue at the centromere and thus ensures the proper coorientation of sister kinetochores at metaphase I. Further testable assumptions on the functions of this filament are presented.Key words: synaptonemal complex, meiosis, meiotic centromeres.


Author(s):  
Shisheng Chen ◽  
Joshua Hegarty ◽  
Tao Shen ◽  
Lei Hua ◽  
Hongna Li ◽  
...  

AbstractKey messageThe stripe rust resistance geneYr34 was transferred to polyploid wheat chromosome 5AL from T. monococcumand has been used for over two centuries.Wheat stripe (or yellow) rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is currently among the most damaging fungal diseases of wheat worldwide. In this study, we report that the stripe rust resistance gene Yr34 (synonym Yr48) is located within a distal segment of the cultivated Triticum monococcum subsp. monococcum chromosome 5AmL translocated to chromosome 5AL in polyploid wheat. The diploid wheat species Triticum monococcum (genome AmAm) is closely related to T. urartu (donor of the A genome to polyploid wheat) and has good levels of resistance against the stripe rust pathogen. When present in hexaploid wheat, the T. monococcum Yr34 resistance gene confers a moderate level of resistance against virulent Pst races present in California and the virulent Chinese race CYR34. In a survey of 1,442 common wheat genotypes, we identified 5AmL translocations of fourteen different lengths in 17.5% of the accessions, with higher frequencies in Europe than in other continents. The old European wheat variety “Mediterranean” was identified as a putative source of this translocation, suggesting that Yr34 has been used for over 200 years. Finally, we designed diagnostic CAPS and sequenced-based markers that will be useful to accelerate the deployment of Yr34 in wheat breeding programs to improve resistance to this devastating pathogen.


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