Multiple ribosomal RNA gene loci in the genome of the homosporous fern Ceratopteris richardii

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 1199-1202 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Mitchell McGrath ◽  
Leslie G Hickok

The genomes of homosporous ferns are largely uncharacterized, but they appear to differ from gymnosperms and angiosperms in key aspects, such as high chromosome numbers at the diploid level, and thus provide a unique perspective on plant genome structure and evolution. Using the model homosporous fern Ceratopteris richardii, loci encoding ribosomal RNA sequences (rDNA genes) were detected using fluorescent in situ hybridization. At least two major rDNA loci were visible in all cases, and six or more weakly hybridizing signals were observed in most cytological preparations. These results are consistent with models of homosporous fern evolution via cycles of polyploidy followed by gene silencing. They are also consistent with other models of fern genome evolution. With the exception of the weakly hybridizing signals, these data are similar to analogous reports of one or two major rDNA loci in diploid angiosperms. These results suggest that the gross morphology of rDNA loci are similar between diploid homosporous ferns and angiosperms, but that important clues to rDNA gene and chromosome evolution in homosporous ferns may reside in the analysis of their minor rDNA sequences.Key words: rDNA, in situ hybridization, homosporous ferns, evolution, gene silencing, polyploidy.

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Blaine Marchant ◽  
Emily B. Sessa ◽  
Paul G. Wolf ◽  
Kweon Heo ◽  
W. Brad Barbazuk ◽  
...  

AbstractFerns are notorious for possessing large genomes and numerous chromosomes. Despite decades of speculation, the processes underlying the expansive genomes of ferns are unclear, largely due to the absence of a sequenced homosporous fern genome. The lack of this crucial resource has not only hindered investigations of evolutionary processes responsible for the unusual genome characteristics of homosporous ferns, but also impeded synthesis of genome evolution across land plants. Here, we used the model fern species Ceratopteris richardii to address the processes (e.g., polyploidy, spread of repeat elements) by which the large genomes and high chromosome numbers typical of homosporous ferns may have evolved and have been maintained. We directly compared repeat compositions in species spanning the green plant tree of life and a diversity of genome sizes, as well as both short- and long-read-based assemblies of Ceratopteris. We found evidence consistent with a single ancient polyploidy event in the evolutionary history of Ceratopteris based on both genomic and cytogenetic data, and on repeat proportions similar to those found in large flowering plant genomes. This study provides a major stepping-stone in the understanding of land plant evolutionary genomics by providing the first homosporous fern reference genome, as well as insights into the processes underlying the formation of these massive genomes.


Genome ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1150-1158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekatherina D. Badaeva ◽  
Bernd Friebe ◽  
Bikram S. Gill

The distribution of the 5S and 18S–5.8S–26S (18S–26S) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene families on chromosomes of all diploid Aegilops species was studied by in situ hybridization with pTa71 (18S–26S rDNA) and pTa794 (5S rDNA) DNA clones. One major 18S–26S rDNA locus was found in the nucleolus organizer region (NOR) of each of the species Aegilops tauschii and Aegilops uniaristata and two loci were detected in the remaining species. In addition to major NORs, from one to nine minor loci were observed; their numbers and chromosomal locations were species-specific. Some minor loci were polymorphic, whereas others were conserved. One or two 5S rDNA loci were observed in the short arms of the chromosomes of groups 1 and 5 of all diploid Aegilops species except Ae. uniaristata, where one 5S rDNA site was located in the distal part of the long arm of chromosome 1N. The 5S rDNA loci were not associated with NORs; however, the relative positions of two ribosomal RNA gene families were diagnostic for chromosomes of homoeologous groups 1, 5, and 6. Implications of these results for establishing phylogenetic relationships of diploid Aegilops species and mechanisms of genome differentiation are discussed. Key words : wheat, Triticum, Aegilops, 5S rRNA, 18S–26S rRNA, in situ hybridization, evolution.


Genome ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 1018-1021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Nenno ◽  
K. Schumann ◽  
W. Nagl

This is the first report of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on plant polytene chromosomes. Different protease pretreatments have been tested to improve fluorescence in situ hybridization FISH on polytene chromosomes of a plant, Phaseolus coccineus, with the aim to enable the detection of low-copy genes. The structural preservation of the chromosomes and the distinctness of the FISH signals were comparatively analysed with a probe for the ribosomal RNA genes after digestion with pepsin and trypsin. The pepsin pretreatment resulted in a general loosening of chromatin with good conservation of chromosome morphology and an increased number and density of signal points. The six nucleolus organizers exhibited significant differences in condensation. The pretreatment with pepsin enabled the detection of the low-copy genes encoding the seed storage protein phaseolin.Key words: plant, Leguminosae, ribosomal RNA genes, seed storage protein genes, protease.


2010 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masashi Yamamoto ◽  
Shingo Terakami ◽  
Toshiya Yamamoto ◽  
Norio Takada ◽  
Tatsuya Kubo ◽  
...  

Genome ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 535-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Concha Linares ◽  
Juan González ◽  
Esther Ferrer ◽  
Araceli Fominaya

A physical map of the locations of the 5S rDNA genes and their relative positions with respect to 18S–5.8S–26S rDNA genes and a C genome specific repetitive DNA sequence was produced for the chromosomes of diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid oat species using in situ hybridization. The A genome diploid species showed two pairs of rDNA loci and two pairs of 5S loci located on both arms of one pair of satellited chromosomes. The C genome diploid species showed two major pairs and one minor pair of rDNA loci. One pair of subtelocentric chromosomes carried rDNA and 5S loci physically separated on the long arm. The tetraploid species (AACC genomes) arising from these diploid ancestors showed two pairs of rDNA loci and three pairs of 5S loci. Two pairs of rDNA loci and 2 pairs of 5S loci were arranged as in the A genome diploid species. The third pair of 5S loci was located on one pair of A–C translocated chromosomes using simultaneous in situ hybridization with 5S rDNA genes and a C genome specific repetitive DNA sequence. The hexaploid species (AACCDD genomes) showed three pairs of rDNA loci and six pairs of 5S loci. One pair of 5S loci was located on each of two pairs of C–A/D translocated chromosomes. Comparative studies of the physical arrangement of rDNA and 5S loci in polyploid oats and the putative A and C genome progenitor species suggests that A genome diploid species could be the donor of both A and D genomes of polyploid oats. Key words : oats, 5S rDNA genes, 18S–5.8S–26S rDNA genes, C genome specific repetitive DNA sequence, in situ hybridization, genome evolution.


Genome ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
S N Raina ◽  
Y Mukai

In order to obtain new information on the genome organization of Arachis ribosomal DNA, more particularly among A. hypogaea and its close relatives, the distribution of the 18S-5.8S-26S and 5S ribosomal RNA gene families on the chromosomes of 21 diploid and tetraploid Arachis species, selected from six of nine taxonomic sections, was analyzed by in situ hybridization with pTa71 (18S-5.8S-26S rDNA) and pTa794 (5S rDNA) clones. Two major 18S-5.8S-26S rDNA loci with intense signals were found in the nucleolus organizer regions (NOR) of each of the diploid and tetraploid species. In addition to extended signals at major NORs, two to six medium and (or) minute-sized signals were also observed. Variability in the number, size, and location of 18S-5.8S-26S sites could generally distinguish species within the same genome as well as between species with different genomes. The use of double fluorescence in situ hybridization enabled us to locate the positions of 5S rRNA genes in relation to the chromosomal location of 18S-5.8S-26S rRNA genes in Arachis chromosomes which were difficult to karyotype. Two or four 5S rDNA loci and 18S-5.8S-26S rDNA loci were generally located on different chromosomes. The tandemly repeated 5S rDNA sites were diagnostic for T and C genomes. In one species, each of B and Am genomes, the two ribosomal gene families were observed to occur at the same locus. Barring A. ipaensis and A. valida, all the diploid species had characteristic centromeric bands in all the 20 chromosomes. In tetraploid species A. hypogaea and A. monticola only 20 out of 40 chromosomes showed centromeric bands. Comparative studies of distribution of the two ribosomal gene families, and occurrence of centromeric bands in only 20 chromosomes of the tetraploid species suggests that A. villosa and A. ipaensis are the diploid progenitors of A. hypogaea and A. monticola. This study excludes A. batizocoi as the B genome donor species for A. hypogaea and A. monticola.Key words: Arachis species, 5S rRNA, 18S-5.8S-26S rRNA, in situ hybridization, evolution.


2000 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D’Hont ◽  
A. Paget-Goy ◽  
J. Escoute ◽  
F. Carreel

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document