Evolution of Bird Sex Chromosomes Narrated by Repetitive Sequences: Unusual W Chromosome Enlargement in Gallinula melanops (Aves: Gruiformes: Rallidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 158 (3) ◽  
pp. 152-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo J. Gunski ◽  
Rafael Kretschmer ◽  
Marcelo Santos de Souza ◽  
Ivanete de Oliveira Furo ◽  
Suziane A. Barcellos ◽  
...  

Among birds, species with the ZZ/ZW sex determination system generally show significant differences in morphology and size between the Z and W chromosomes (with the W usually being smaller than the Z). In the present study, we report for the first time the karyotype of the spot-flanked gallinule (Gallinula melanops) by means of classical and molecular cytogenetics. The spot-flanked gallinule has 2n = 80 (11 pairs of macrochromosomes and 29 pairs of microchromosomes) with an unusual W chromosome that is larger than the Z. Besides being totally heterochromatic, it has a secondary constriction in its long arm corresponding to the nucleolar organizer region, as confirmed by both silver staining and mapping of 18S rDNA probes. This is an unprecedented fact among birds. Additionally, 18S rDNA sites were also observed in 6 microchromosomes, while 5S rDNA was found in just 1 microchromosomal pair. Seven out of the 11 used microsatellite sequences were found to be accumulated in microchromosomes, and 6 microsatellite sequences were found in the W chromosome. In addition to the involvement of heterochromatin and repetitive DNAs in the differentiation of the large W chromosome, the results also show an alternative scenario that highlights the plasticity that shapes the evolutionary history of bird sex chromosomes.

Genome ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Mekada ◽  
M Harada ◽  
L K Lin ◽  
K Koyasu ◽  
P M Borodin ◽  
...  

Pairing of X and Y chromosomes at meiotic prophase and the G- and C-banding patterns and nucleolar organizer region (NOR) distribution were analyzed in Microtus kikuchii. M. kikuchii is closely related to M. oeconomus and M. montebelli, karyologically and systematically. The formation of a synaptonemal complex between the X and Y chromosomes at pachytene and end-to-end association at diakinesis – metaphase I are only observed in three species in the genus Microtus; M. kikuchii, M. oeconomus, and M. montebelli. All the other species that have been studied so far have had asynaptic X–Y chromosomes. These data confirm that M. kikuchii, M. oeconomus, and M. montebelli are very closely related, and support the separation of asynaptic and synaptic groups on the phylogenetic tree.Key words: Microtus kikuchii, Microtus phylogeny, karyotype, synaptic sex chromosomes, synaptonemal complex.


2000 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 563-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Pasquali Parise-Maltempi ◽  
Rita Maria Pereira Avancini

Pattonella intermutans has 2n = 12 chromosomes including three metacentric and two submetacentric pairs of autosomes and an XX/XY sex chromosome pair. The autosomes are characterized by the presence of a C band in the pericentromeric region while sex chromosomes are totally heterochromatic. The FISH technique showed a nucleolar organizer region (NOR) in autosome IV.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
MANACHAYA PISSAPARN ◽  
SUMALEE PHIMPHAN ◽  
PATCHARAPORN CHAIYASAN ◽  
ALONGKLOD TANOAMTONG ◽  
THOMAS LIEHR ◽  
...  

Abstract. Pissaparn M, Phimphan S, Chaiyasan P, Tanoamtong A, Liehr T, Suwannapoom C, Reungsing M, Supiwong W. 2020. First chromosome analysis of Thai pufferfish Pao cochinchinensis (Steindachner, 1866). Biodiversitas 21: 4309-4316. Here first analysis of chromosomes and nucleolar organizer region (NOR) pattern in pufferfish Pao cochinchinensis (Steindachner, 1866) was undertaken. Chromosomal preparations were obtained from kidney of P. cochinchinensis from Chi River basin in Thailand. Chromosomal characteristics were analyzed by Giemsa staining, Ag-NOR banding as well as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using microsatellites d(CA)15 and d(CGG)10 probes. P. cochinchinensis had 2n = 40 with the fundamental number (NF) 74, both in male and female. The karyotype exhibited 12 metacentric (m), 10 submetacentric (sm), 12 acrocentric (a) and 6 telocentric (t) chromosomes. No differentiated heteromorphic sex chromosomes were observed. NORs were located on short arms adjacent to telomere of the metacentric chromosome pair 4, which coincide with signals of d(CGG)10 probe. FISH with d(CGG)10 sequences were also displayed at the telomeres of most other chromosomes, whereas d(CA)15 repeats highly accumulated throughout almost all entire chromosomes except for centromeric regions. The results of conventional Giemsa staining presented the differentiation even the same genus. The localization of NORs on one pair of chromosomes only is a common characteristic found in many fish groups as well as other vertebrates. Mapping of two distinct microsatellites demonstrated the remarkable chromosomal diversification that characterizes evolution in the genus Pao. Both, conventional and molecular cytogenetics are excellent tools to study, and better understand chromosomal evolution, as well as to uncover biodiversity among fishes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone C. Girardi ◽  
Carla S. Pavanelli ◽  
Vladimir P. Margarido

ABSTRACT Pimelodidae harbors several species and is widely distributed throughout the Neotropical region. Pimelodus is the genus with the largest number of species, however it is a polyphyletic group. Cytogenetic analyzes of the valid species still covers less than half of them. Herein, seven Pimelodus species from three Brazilian hydrographic systems were analyzed through basic (Giemsa, AgNORs and C banding) and molecular (5S and 18S rDNA-FISH) cytogenetic methods. All species had 2n=56 chromosomes with different karyotype formulas observed among the species. AgNORs were corresponding to 18S rDNA and localized on long arm of one chromosome pair in all species. Heterochromatin distribution follows the pattern commonly verified in the family and allows to identify each one of the studied species. 5S rDNA marker was interspecifically variable in number and position of cistrons. Pimelodus ortmanni had B chromosomes varying intra and inter-individually. We performed a discussion on our own and available cytogenetic data for Pimelodidae, and the associating of them with available phylogeny enable us identifying features that distinguish subgroups within Pimelodidae, such as NORs location (terminal/long arm for species belonging to “Iheringichthys-Parapimelodus” and “Pimelodus maculatus” subclades) and location of 5S rDNA sites (pericentromeric/interstitial/ long arm for species belonging to Pimelodus group).


2015 ◽  
Vol 146 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscilla C. Scacchetti ◽  
Ricardo Utsunomia ◽  
José C. Pansonato-Alves ◽  
Marcelo R. Vicari ◽  
Roberto F. Artoni ◽  
...  

The speciose neotropical genus Characidium has proven to be a good model for cytogenetic exploration. Representatives of this genus often have a conserved diploid chromosome number; some species exhibit a highly differentiated ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system, while others do not show any sex-related chromosome heteromorphism. In this study, chromosome painting using a W-specific probe and comparative chromosome mapping of repetitive sequences, including ribosomal clusters and 4 microsatellite motifs - (CA)15, (GA)15, (CG)15, and (TTA)10 -, were performed in 6 Characidium species, 5 of which possessed a heteromorphic ZW sex chromosome system. The W-specific probe showed hybridization signals on the W chromosome of all analyzed species, indicating homology among the W chromosomes. Remarkably, a single major rDNA-bearing chromosome pair was found in all species. The 18S rDNA localized to the sex chromosomes in C. lanei, C. timbuiense and C. pterostictum, while the major rDNA localized to one autosome pair in C. vidali and C. gomesi. In contrast, the number of 5S rDNA-bearing chromosomes varied. Notably, minor ribosomal clusters were identified in the W chromosome of C. vidali. Microsatellites were widely distributed across almost all chromosomes of the karyotypes, with a greater accumulation in the subtelomeric regions. However, clear differences in the abundance of each motif were detected in each species. In addition, the Z and W chromosomes showed the differential accumulation of distinct motifs. Our results revealed variability in the distribution of repetitive DNA sequences and their possible association with sex chromosome diversification in Characidium species.


Genome ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 937-942 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Fernández ◽  
M L Ruiz ◽  
C Linares ◽  
A Fominaya ◽  
M Pérez de la Vega

The length variability of the nontranscribed spacer (NTS) of the 5S rDNA repeats was analyzed in species of the genus Lens by means of PCR amplification. The NTS ranged from ~227 to ~952 bp. The polymorphism detected was higher than previous NTS polymorphisms described in this genus. Three NTS length variants from Lens culinaris subsp. culinaris and 2 from Lens culinaris subsp. orientalis were sequenced. The culinaris NTS fragment lengths were 239, 371, and 838 bp, whereas the orientalis ones were 472 bp and 506 bp, respectively. As a result of sequence similarities, 2 families of sequences were distinguished, 1 including the sequences of 838 and 506 bp, and others with the sequences of 239, 371, and 472 bp. The 1st family was characterized by the presence of a repeated sequence designated A, whereas the 2nd family showed a single A sequence and other repeated sequences designated B, C, and D. The presence of an (AT)n microsatellite was also observed in the 2nd family of sequences. The fragments, which included the 239-bp and 838-bp NTS sequences, as well as the intergenic spacer (IGS) of the 18S–5.8S–26S ribosomal DNA also from L. culinaris subsp. culinaris, were used to localize the nucleolar organizer region (NOR) and the 5S rDNA loci in the chromosomes of several species of the genus Lens by means of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The selective hybridization of the 2 NTS probes allowed us to distinguish between different 5S rDNA chromosomal loci.Key words: Lens, lentil, ribosomal loci, 5S, FISH, NTS polymorphism, NOR.


2007 ◽  
Vol 67 (4 suppl) ◽  
pp. 897-903 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Morelli ◽  
MR. Vicari ◽  
LAC. Bertollo

The taxonomy/systematics of the Erythrinidae fish is still imprecise, with several doubts on their relationships. Karyotypes and chromosomal characteristics of some species of the Hoplias lacerdae group (Erythrinidae), from different Brazilian hydrographic basins and pisciculture stations, were analyzed in the present study, using conventional Giemsa staining, C-banding, silver staining, Mithramycin and Distamycin/DAPI fluorochromes, and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). A diploid chromosome number of 2n = 50 and karyotypes composed of meta- and submetacentric chromosomes without sex-related differences were found. Only one active NOR (Nucleolar Organizer Region) site was found, which was identified by silver staining (Ag-NOR) and FISH, located on the chromosome pair 11, although additional 45S rDNA sites were also mapped on other chromosome pairs only by FISH. The Ag-NOR of the chromosome pair 11 was found to be GC-rich, appearing positive after Mithramycin staining. Mithramycin-positive/DAPI-negative sites were also observed in the centromeric/pericentomeric regions of the chromosome pairs 4, 6, 15, and 19, which have also affinity to silver nitrate. However, these four sites were not detected by FISH with the rDNA probe, indicating to be only argentophilic GC-rich heterochromatic regions. Chromosome data show that the karyotype evolution in Hoplias lacerdae group is relatively conserved and follows a particular pathway concerning the other Erythrinidae fishes, such as Hoplias malabaricus, Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus, and Erythrinus erythrinus, in which polytypic karyotypes are found. Thus, the H. lacerdae group shows chromosome features that are not closely related to those of the congeneric H. malabaricus group. These finds, together with genetic and morphologic data, are important tools to be considered in a major revision of the Erythrinidae family, as well as for conservation programs.


2015 ◽  
Vol 145 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 218-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshinobu Uno ◽  
Chizuko Nishida ◽  
Chiyo Takagi ◽  
Takeshi Igawa ◽  
Naoto Ueno ◽  
...  

Sex determination in frogs (anurans) is genetic and includes both male and female heterogamety. However, the origins of the sex chromosomes and their differentiation processes are poorly known. To investigate diversity in the origins of anuran sex chromosomes, we compared the chromosomal locations of sex-linked genes in 4 species: the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), the Western clawed frog (Silurana/X. tropicalis), the Japanese bell-ring frog (Buergeria buergeri), and the Japanese wrinkled frog (Rana rugosa). Comparative mapping data revealed that the sex chromosomes of X. laevis, X. tropicalis and R. rugosa are different chromosome pairs; however, the sex chromosomes of X. tropicalis and B. buergeri are homologous, although this may represent distinct evolutionary origins. We also examined the status of sex chromosomal differentiation in B. buergeri, which possesses heteromorphic ZW sex chromosomes, using comparative genomic hybridization and chromosome painting with DNA probes from the microdissected W chromosome. At least 3 rearrangement events have occurred in the proto-W chromosome: deletion of the nucleolus organizer region and a paracentric inversion followed by amplification of non-W-specific repetitive sequences.


2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanh Dat Ta ◽  
Nomar Espinosa Waminal ◽  
Thi Hong Nguyen ◽  
Remnyl Joyce Pellerin ◽  
Hyun Hee Kim

Abstract Background DNA tandem repeats (TRs) are often abundant and occupy discrete regions in eukaryotic genomes. These TRs often cause or generate chromosomal rearrangements, which, in turn, drive chromosome evolution and speciation. Tracing the chromosomal distribution of TRs could therefore provide insights into the chromosome dynamics and speciation among closely related taxa. The basic chromosome number in the genus Senna is 2n = 28, but dysploid species like Senna tora have also been observed. Objective To understand the dynamics of these TRs and their impact on S. tora dysploidization. Methods We performed a comparative fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis among nine closely related Senna species and compared the chromosomal distribution of these repeats from a cytotaxonomic perspective by using the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequence to infer phylogenetic relationships. Results Of the nine S. tora TRs, two did not show any FISH signal whereas seven TRs showed similar and contrasting patterns to other Senna species. StoTR01_86, which was localized in the pericentromeric regions in all S. tora, but not at the nucleolar organizer region (NOR) site, was colocalized at the NOR site in all species except in S. siamea. StoTR02_7_tel was mostly localized at chromosome termini, but some species had an interstitial telomeric repeat in a few chromosomes. StoTR05_180 was distributed in the subtelomeric region in most species and was highly amplified in the pericentromeric region in some species. StoTR06_159 was either absent or colocalized in the NOR site in some species, and StoIGS_463, which was localized at the NOR site in S. tora, was either absent or localized at the subtelomeric or pericentromeric regions in other species. Conclusions These data suggest that TRs play important roles in S. tora dysploidy and suggest the involvement of 45S rDNA intergenic spacers in “carrying” repeats during genome reshuffling.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung-Hyun Kim ◽  
Vladimir N. Noskov ◽  
Aleksey Y. Ogurtsov ◽  
Ramaiah Nagaraja ◽  
Nikolai Petrov ◽  
...  

AbstractThe rDNA clusters and flanking sequences on human chromosomes 13, 14, 15, 21 and 22 represent large gaps in the current genomic assembly. The organization and the degree of divergence of the human rDNA units within an individual nucleolar organizer region (NOR) are only partially known. To address this lacuna, we previously applied transformation-associated recombination (TAR) cloning to isolate individual rDNA units from chromosome 21. That approach revealed an unexpectedly high level of heterogeneity in human rDNA, raising the possibility of corresponding variations in ribosome dynamics. We have now applied the same strategy to analyze an entire rDNA array end-to-end from a copy of chromosome 22. Sequencing of TAR isolates provided the entire NOR sequence, including proximal and distal junctions that may be involved in nucleolar function. Comparison of the newly sequenced rDNAs to reference sequence for chromosomes 22 and 21 revealed variants that are shared in human rDNA in individuals from different ethnic groups, many of them at high frequency. Analysis infers comparable intra- and inter-individual divergence of rDNA units on the same and different chromosomes, supporting the concerted evolution of rDNA units. The results provide a route to investigate further the role of rDNA variation in nucleolar formation and in the empirical associations of nucleoli with pathology.


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