scholarly journals PAIRING COMPETITION BETWEEN IDENTICAL AND HOMOLOGOUS CHROMOSOMES IN RYE AND GRASSHOPPERS

Genetics ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 677-684
Author(s):  
J L Santos ◽  
J Orellana ◽  
R Giraldez

ABSTRACT Meiotic pairing preferences between identical and homologous but not identical chromosomes were analyzed in spontaneous tetraploid/diploid chimeras of three male grasshoppers (Eyprepocnemis plorans) whose chromosome pair 11 were heterozygous for C-banding pattern and in four induced tetraploid/diploid chimaeral rye plants (Secale cereale) heterozygous for telomeric heterochromatin C-bands in chromosomes 1R and 2R. In the grasshoppers, a preference for identical over homologous pairing was observed, whereas in rye both a preference for homologous rather than identical pairing and random pairing between the four chromosomes of the set was found. From the results in rye, it can be deduced that pairing preferences do not depend exclusively on the similarities between chromosomes involved. It is suggested that genotypic or cryptic structural differences between the homologous chromosomes of each pair analyzed might be responsible for the pairing preferences found. This hypothesis can also explain the results obtained in grasshoppers, although the possibility of premeiotic association cannot be excluded in this material.

Genetics ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 111 (4) ◽  
pp. 933-944
Author(s):  
J Orellana ◽  
J L Santos

ABSTRACT Meiotic pairing preferences between identical and homologous but not identical chromosomes were analyzed in ten induced tetraploid/diploid chimaeral rye plants (Secale cereale) heterozygous for telomeric heerochromatin C-bands in both arms of chromosome 1R. These plants were the progeny of two crosses between only one plant of cv. Petkus, used as male, and two plants of the inbred lines E and R, respectively. Different pairing preferences for chromosome 1R were found: (1) between plants, (2) between chromosome arms within the same plant and (3) between bivalents and multivalents within the same plant. The possible influence in the preferences of several factors such as differences in C-heterochromatin content in the chromosomes analyzed, specific genetic control and independence in pairing behavior between both arms and partner exchange is discussed.


1976 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia Avivi

Different genotypes of Triticum longissimum are known to either promote or suppress chromosome pairing in crosses with polyploid wheats. Lines that promote homoeologous pairing are here designated as intermediate pairing lines, while those which have no such effect or suppress pairing are known as low pairing lines. To determine a possible effect of these genotypes on homologous pairing, tetraploidy was induced in both lines and chromosomal pairing was studied at first metaphase of meiosis. While the two induced autotetraploids did not differ in chiasma frequency or in the number of paired chromosomal arms, they differed significantly in multivalent frequency; the intermediate-pairing autotetraploid exhibited the same multivalent frequency as that expected on the basis of two telomeric initiation sites, while the low pairing autotetraploid exhibited a significantly lower frequency. It is assumed that in the autotetraploid the low pairing genotype does not affect meiotic pairing per se, but modifies the pattern of homologous association in a similar manner to that known in polyploids and caused by diploidization genes. It is speculated that the tendency for bivalent pairing in the low pairing autotetraploid is due to spatial separation of the four homologous chromosomes in somatic and premeiotic cells into two groups of two.


2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (22) ◽  
pp. jcs253724
Author(s):  
Miao Tian ◽  
Christiane Agreiter ◽  
Josef Loidl

ABSTRACTIn most eukaryotes, the meiotic chromosomal bouquet (comprising clustered chromosome ends) provides an ordered chromosome arrangement that facilitates pairing and recombination between homologous chromosomes. In the protist Tetrahymena thermophila, the meiotic prophase nucleus stretches enormously, and chromosomes assume a bouquet-like arrangement in which telomeres and centromeres are attached to opposite poles of the nucleus. We have identified and characterized three meiosis-specific genes [meiotic nuclear elongation 1-3 (MELG1-3)] that control nuclear elongation, and centromere and telomere clustering. The Melg proteins interact with cytoskeletal and telomere-associated proteins, and probably repurpose them for reorganizing the meiotic prophase nucleus. A lack of sequence similarity between the Tetrahymena proteins responsible for telomere clustering and bouquet proteins of other organisms suggests that the Tetrahymena bouquet is analogous, rather than homologous, to the conserved eukaryotic bouquet. We also report that centromere clustering is more important than telomere clustering for homologous pairing. Therefore, we speculate that centromere clustering may have been the primordial mechanism for chromosome pairing in early eukaryotes.


1984 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Dillé ◽  
J. P. Gustafson ◽  
M. D. Bennett

The relationship between the frequency of aneuploids and blocks of telomeric heterochromatin on rye (Secale cereale L.) chromosomes in a triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) background was investigated. Lines with or without blocks of telomeric heterochromatin were examined to determine the percentage of aneuploid progeny. The results showed that the amount of telomeric heterochromatin present on rye chromosomes 4R and 6R had little effect (2%) on lowering the proportion of aneuploids. When rye chromosome pair 2R was replaced by wheat chromosome 2D in the presence of chromosomes 4R and 6R lacking heterochromatin, the percentage of aneuploids increased slightly (2.7%) over that found in the control population.


1982 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. Bennett ◽  
J. P. Gustafson

The influence of telomeric heterochromatin blocks on early embryo and endosperm development, and on various agronomic parameters seen at maturity, was investigated using triticales (× Triticosecale Wittmack) isogenic for the presence or absence of the heterochromatin blocks on rye (Secale cereale L.) chromosomes 6R and 7R/4R. Absence of the telomeric heterochromatin blocks from the long arm of rye chromosome pair 7R/4R in DRIRA, and from the short arm of rye chromosome pair 6R in Rosner was significantly related with a lower production of aberrant endosperm nuclei and an increased kernel weight. The loss of the heterochromatin block on rye chromosome pair 7R/4R in DRIRA resulted in a significant yield increase, while there was no increase in yield when the heterochromatin block was missing from rye chromosome pair 6R in Rosner. The lack of yield increase in Rosner was apparently due to a significant decrease in fertility when the heterochromatin block on 6R was lost. The loss of the heterochromatin block on the short arm of rye chromosome 6R appears to have the same effect on aberrant endosperm nuclei production and kernel weight in two different genetic backgrounds. The rate of embryo and endosperm development showed a small but significant increase when the heterochromatin blocks were lost from both 6R and 7R/4R.


Genetics ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 150 (3) ◽  
pp. 1199-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan M Vega ◽  
Moshe Feldman

Abstract The analysis of the pattern of isochromosome pairing allows one to distinguish factors affecting presynaptic alignment of homologous chromosomes from those affecting synapsis and crossing-over. Because the two homologous arms in an isochromosome are invariably associated by a common centromere, the suppression of pairing between these arms (intrachromosome pairing) would indicate that synaptic or postsynaptic events were impaired. In contrast, the suppression of pairing between an isochromosome and its homologous chromosome (interchromosome pairing), without affecting intrachromosome pairing, would suggest that homologous presynaptic alignment was impaired. We used such an isochromosome system to determine which of the processes associated with chromosome pairing was affected by the Ph1 gene of common wheat—the main gene that restricts pairing to homologues. Ph1 reduced the frequency of interchromosome pairing without affecting intrachromosome pairing. In contrast, intrachromosome pairing was strongly reduced in the absence of the synaptic gene Syn-B1. Premeiotic colchicine treatment, which drastically decreased pairing of conventional chromosomes, reduced interchromosome but not intrachromosome pairing. The results support the hypothesis that premeiotic alignment is a necessary stage for the regularity of meiotic pairing and that Ph1 relaxes this alignment. We suggest that Ph1 acts on premeiotic alignment of homologues and homeologues as a means of ensuring diploid-like meiotic behavior in polyploid wheat.


Meiotic chromosome pairing is a process that is amenable to genetic and experimental analysis. The combined use of these two approaches allows for the process to be dissected into several finite periods of time in which the developmental stages of pairing can be precisely located. Evidence is now available, in particular in plants, that shows that the pairing of homologous chromosomes, as observed at metaphase I, is affected by events occurring as early as the last premeiotic mitosis; and that the maintenance of this early determined state is subsequently maintained by constituents (presumably proteins) that are sensitive to either colchicine, temperature or gene control. A critical assessment of this evidence in wheat and a comparison of the process of pairing in wheat with the course of meiotic pairing in other plants and animals is presented.


1967 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-536
Author(s):  
B. C. LU

Meiosis within fruiting bodies of Coprinus lagopus Fr. is closely synchronized. This conveniently facilitates joint light- and electron-microscope observations. Before nuclear fusion the chromatin appears diffuse in the light microscope; after nuclear fusion individual chromosomes can be recognized. In the electron micrographs the chromatin of pre-fusion and early fusion nuclei cannot be recognized as defined structures with the fixation and staining procedures employed. At the time of synapsis the lateral components of the synaptinemal complexes can be seen in the micrographs. The pairing process of the two chromosomes of the homologous pairs is believed to involve two steps: (1) two homologous chromosomes become aligned in parallel, and (2) pairing occurs by formation of the synaptinemal complex including the central synaptic component. The term synaptic centre is coined for the central component, which is believed to be the zone where crossing-over occurs. The formation of this structure in relation to homologous pairing, and the structural organization of the synaptinemal complexes are discussed. At meiotic metaphase, the chromosomes congregate around the central spindle microtubules. They are contracted and contain densely packed chromatin fibrils. Two types of spindle microtubules are demonstrated: (1) the chromosomal microtubules directly connecting the chromosomes to the centrosomes, and (2) the central spindle microtubules connecting the two centrosomes. The centrosomes are round, fibril-containing bodies approximately 0.3 µ in diameter. They have been observed outside the nuclear envelope at pachytene, but do not show the characteristic structure normally found in animal cells.


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