The paternal sex ratio chromosome in the parasitic wasp Trichogramma kaykai condenses the paternal chromosomes into a dense chromatin mass

Genome ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 580-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joke F.A van Vugt ◽  
Merijn Salverda ◽  
J Hans de Jong ◽  
Richard Stouthamer
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Parasitic Wasp ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
B Chromosome ◽  
The Other ◽  
Paternal Chromosome ◽  
Paternal Genome ◽  
Obvious Similarity ◽  
Dense Chromatin ◽  
Paternal Sex Ratio

A recently discovered B chromosome in the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma kaykai was found to be transmitted through males only. Shortly after fertilization, this chromosome eliminates the paternal chromosome set leaving the maternal chromosomes and itself intact. Consequently, the sex ratio in these wasps is changed in favour of males by modifying fertilized diploid eggs into male haploid offspring. In this study, we show that in fertilized eggs at the first mitosis the paternal sex ratio (PSR) chromosome condenses the paternal chromosomes into a so-called paternal chromatin mass (PCM). During this process, the PSR chromosome is morphologically unaffected and is incorporated into the nucleus containing the maternal chromosomes. In the first five mitotic divisions, 67% of the PCMs are associated with one of the nuclei in the embryo. Furthermore, in embryos with an unassociated PCM, all nuclei are at the same mitotic stage, whereas 68% of the PCM-associated nuclei are at a different mitotic phase than the other nuclei in the embryo. Our observations reveal an obvious similarity of the mode of action of the PSR chromosome in T. kaykai with that of the PSR-induced paternal genome loss in the unrelated wasp Nasonia vitripennis.Key words: paternal sex ratio, PSR, Trichogramma kaykai, B chromosome, paternal chromatin mass, embryogenesis.

scholarly journals The origin of a selfish B chromosome triggering paternal sex ratio in the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma kaykai

2009 ◽  
Vol 276 (1676) ◽  
pp. 4149-4154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joke J. F. A. Van Vugt ◽  
Hans de Jong ◽  
Richard Stouthamer
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
B Chromosome ◽  
Satellite Repeat ◽  
Paternal Genome ◽  
Major Satellite ◽  
Similar Mode ◽  
Different Origins ◽  
Paternal Sex Ratio

This study uses molecular and cytogenetic methods to determine the origin of a B chromosome in some males of the wasp Trichogramma kaykai . This so-called paternal sex ratio (PSR) chromosome transmits only through sperm and shortly after fertilization triggers degeneration of the paternal genome, while keeping itself intact. The resulting embryos develop into haploid B-chromosome-carrying males. Another PSR chromosome with a very similar mode of action is found in the distantly related wasp Nasonia vitripennis and its origin was traced by transposon similarity to the genus Trichomalopsis , which is closely related to Nasonia . To determine whether both PSR chromosomes have a similar origin we aimed to reveal the origin of the Trichogramma PSR chromosome. Using fluorescent in situ hybridization, we discovered a major satellite repeat on the PSR chromosome, the 45S ribosomal DNA. Analysis of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) of this repeat showed the presence of multiple ITS2 sequences on the PSR chromosome resembling either the ITS2 of T. oleae or of T. kaykai . We therefore conclude that the Trichogramma PSR chromosome originates from T. oleae or a T. oleae -like species. Our results are consistent with different origins for the PSR chromosomes in Trichogramma and Nasonia .

scholarly journals Deletion analysis of the selfish B chromosome, Paternal Sex Ratio (PSR), in the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis.

Genetics ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
pp. 637-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
L W Beukeboom ◽  
J H Werren
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Parasitic Wasp ◽  
B Chromosome ◽  
Deletion Analysis ◽  
Functional Domains ◽  
Functional Domain ◽  
Paternal Chromosome ◽  
Nasonia Vitripennis ◽  
Paternal Sex Ratio

Abstract Paternal Sex Ratio (PSR) is a "selfish" B chromosome in the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis. It is transmitted via sperm, but causes supercondensation and destruction of the paternal chromosomes in early fertilized eggs. Because this wasp has haplodiploid sex determination, the effect of PSR is to convert diploid (female) eggs into haploid (male) eggs that carry PSR. Characterizing its genetic structure is a first step toward understanding mechanisms of PSR action. The chromosome is largely heterochromatic and contains several tandemly repeated DNA sequences that are not present on the autosomes. A deletion analysis of PSR was performed to investigate organization of repeats and location of functional domains causing paternal chromosome destruction. Deletion profiles using probes to PSR-specific repetitive DNA indicate that most repeats are organized in blocks on the chromosome. This study shows that the functional domains of PSR can be deleted, resulting in nonfunctional PSR chromosomes that are transmitted to daughters. A functional domain may be linked with the psr22 repeat, but function may also depend on abundance of PSR-specific repeats on the chromosome. It is hypothesized that the repeats act as a "sink" for a product required for proper paternal chromosome processing. Almost all deletion chromosomes remained either functional of nonfunctional in subsequent generations following their creation. One chromosome was exceptional in that it reverted from nonfunctionality to functionality in one lineage. Transmission rates of nonfunctional deletion chromosomes were high through haploid males, but low through diploid females.

Cytogenetic analysis of the paternal sex ratio chromosome of Nasonia vitripennis

Genome ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kent M. Reed
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Silver Staining ◽  
Organizer Region ◽  
Parasitic Wasp ◽  
Nucleolus Organizer Region ◽  
B Chromosome ◽  
Nucleolus Organizer ◽  
Nasonia Vitripennis ◽  
C Banding ◽  
Paternal Sex Ratio

Paternal sex ratio (PSR) is a B chromosome found in the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis. PSR has a unique etiology in that it destroys the paternal chromosomes of fertilized eggs, resulting in the production of all male families. This study examined structural aspects of PSR including size, C-banding, and silver staining. PSR was found to constitute approximately 5.7% of the genome of carrier males. C-banding confirmed the heterochromatic nature of PSR and the data suggest that PSR remains primarily condensed throughout the cell cycle. Examination of prometaphase spermatocytes revealed a secondary constriction on PSR. The constriction, however, did not stain positive for nucleolus organizer activity. During mitosis, PSR and the pericentromeric regions of the A chromosomes displayed a temporal pattern of silver staining, involving dense precipitation of silver prior to metaphase. This reaction is indicative of a protein complex specific to the heterochromatin of these regions. The implications of these findings to the origin of PSR are discussed.Key words: Nasonia vitripennis, paternal sex ratio, B chromosome, nucleolus organizer region, heterochromatin.

Comparative AFLP reveals paternal sex ratio chromosome specific DNA sequences in the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma kaykai

Genome ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 447-455
Author(s):  
Joke J.F.A. van Vugt ◽  
Ron G.M. van der Hulst ◽  
Andrea J.P. Pruijssers ◽  
Patrick Verbaarschot ◽  
Richard Stouthamer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Related Species ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Specific Marker ◽  
Paternal Genome ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Repetitive Nature ◽  
Aflp Fragment ◽  
Paternal Sex Ratio

The parasitoid wasp Trichogramma kaykai with a haplo-diploid sex determination has a B chromosome called the paternal sex ratio (PSR) chromosome that confers paternal genome loss during early embryogenesis, resulting in male offspring. So far, it is not well known whether the PSR chromosome has unique DNA sequence characteristics. By comparative AFLP fingerprinting of genomic DNA from wasps with and without the PSR chromosome, we isolated DNA from PSR-specific bands. Fourteen of such DNA fragments were analysed to confirm their PSR specificity. Seven were sequenced and two (PT-AFLP 1 and PT-AFLP1 3) were identified as parts of retrotransposon genes based on BLAST searches. Internal primers designed from a third AFLP fragment allowed PCR amplification of a PSR chromosome specific marker, which can be used to screen for the PSR trait in male wasps. Southern analysis revealed a dispersed repetitive nature of this third sequence in the T. kaykai genome, suggesting that it is part of a transposon. A fourth AFLP fragment (PT-AFLP 5) appears to be a large repetitive sequence on the PSR chromosome. This sequence is also found in the genome of both T. kaykai and the closely related species Trichogramma deion , but its distribution on the PSR chromosome strongly resembles that of T. deion rather than that of T. kaykai. Our results provide further insight into the repetitive nature of sequences comprising B chromosomes and their similarities with their host and closely related species.

NOR activity and repeat sequences of the paternal sex ratio chromosome of the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma kaykai

Chromosoma ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 114 (6) ◽  
pp. 410-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joke J. F. A. van Vugt ◽  
Silvester de Nooijer ◽  
Richard Stouthamer ◽  
Hans de Jong
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Repeat Sequences ◽  
Paternal Sex Ratio

The effect of exposure to conspecifics on restlessness in the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

2007 ◽  
Vol 139 (5) ◽  
pp. 678-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.H. King
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Quality ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
The Other ◽  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Nasonia Vitripennis ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Selection For ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Abundance And Distribution

AbstractWhen habitat quality is variable, there should be strong selection for the ability to detect and respond to the variation. Adult females of the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) are known to increase their restlessness (the proportion of time in locomotion) both during and after exposure to a poor quality host. Doing so provides a mechanism for leaving a poor host and potentially finding a better host. This study examined whether restlessness also changes in response to competition as indicated by the presence of adult conspecifics. Both restlessness and the probability of dispersing across an inhospitable environment were greater when a female was with another female than when she was alone. However, restlessness did not remain elevated after the other female was removed. In contrast with females, restlessness of males did not increase either during or after exposure to other males, and the probability of dispersing across an inhospitable environment was unaffected by the presence of another male. The difference between females and males may be related to differences in dispersal ability and in the abundance and distribution of hosts versus mates.

scholarly journals The comparative biology of second sex ratio evolution within a natural population of a parasitic wasp, Nasonia vitripennis.

Genetics ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
S H Orzack
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Parasitic Wasp ◽  
Comparative Biology ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Nasonia Vitripennis ◽  
Second Sex ◽  
Sex Ratio Adjustment ◽  
Optimality Models ◽  
Isofemale Strains

Abstract Correlation and regression analyses indicate that isofemale strains extracted from a population of the parasitic wasp, Nasonia vitripennis, differ in the fit of their second sex ratios (those produced in previously parasitized hosts) to the predictions of the theory of optimal facultative sex ratio adjustment. Under the theory's simple assumptions about population structure, there is significant heterogeneity of fitnesses among the isofemale strains. The reasons underlying these types of heterogeneity must be understood before we can make statements about the nature of sex ratio evolution in this species. These results suggest that comparative analyses are essential for testing the qualitative predictions of optimality models.

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