The Relationship between the (In-)Stability of NORs and Their Chromosomal Location: The Example of Cercopithecidae and a Short Review of Other Primates

2017 ◽  
Vol 153 (3) ◽  
pp. 138-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michèle Gerbault-Seureau ◽  
Lauriane Cacheux ◽  
Bernard Dutrillaux

Amongst Cercopithecidae, the species of the Cercopithecini tribe underwent a very active chromosome evolution, principally by fissions, which increased their chromosome number up to 72. In contrast, all the species of Papionini have fairly similar karyotypes with 42 chromosomes. In animals, nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) are generally considered as instable structures, which frequently vary in size, number, and location at both infra- and interspecific levels. Although in Cercopithecinae the NORs, involved in breaks, exchanges, and translocations, behave like fragile sites in somatic cells, their number and location appear to be very stable between species. Fluorescence in situ hybridization of a 28S rDNA probe on metaphase chromosomes displayed a unique interstitial location in either an acrocentric pair (in 12 species of Cercopithecini) or a metacentric pair (in 6 species of Papionini). A non-exhaustive survey of literature data on NOR location in other primates shows that numerical variations of the NORs principally depend on their location: most multiple NORs are in terminal positions, while almost all unique NORs are in interstitial positions. We propose that this correlation is the consequence of the selection against gametic imbalances involving the chromosomal material distal to the NORs, which is effective when they are interstitially, but not terminally, located. Thus, the consequences of the interstitial NOR instability for reproduction are essentially limited to their size variations, as observed in Cercopithecidae.

2019 ◽  
Vol 158 (3) ◽  
pp. 145-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Milioto ◽  
Sara Vlah ◽  
Sofia Mazzoleni ◽  
Michail Rovatsos ◽  
Francesca Dumas

Classical cytogenetics and mapping of 18S-28S rDNA and (TTAGGG)n sequences by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed on Graphiurus platyops (GPL) and Graphiurus ocularis (GOC) metaphases with the aim to characterize the genomes. In both species, inverted DAPI karyotypes showed the same diploid number, 2n = 46, and hybridization of the (TTAGGG)n probe revealed interstitial telomeric sequences (ITSs) at the centromeres of almost all bi-armed chromosomes. FISH with the rDNA probe localized nucleolus organizer regions (NORs), at the terminal ends of the p arms of the subtelocentric pairs 16 and 17 in both species and detected additional signals on GPL8 and GOC18, 19, and 22. The species have similar karyotypes, but their chromosome pairs 18-22 differ in morphology; these are acrocentric in G. platyops, as also confirmed by C-banding, and subtelocentric in G. ocularis. These differences in pairs 18-22 were also highlighted by hybridization of the telomeric probe (TTAGGG)n, which showed the small p arms in G. ocularis enriched with ITSs. FISH of rDNA probes detected multiple NOR loci in G. ocularis, underlining the intense evolutionary dynamics related to these genes. Although the Graphiurus species analyzed have similar karyotypes, the results on the repetitive sequences indicate a complex pattern of genomic reorganization and evolution occurring in these phylogenetically close species.


Genome ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 556-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. D. Ciupercescu ◽  
J. Veuskens ◽  
A. Mouras ◽  
D. Ye ◽  
M. Briquet ◽  
...  

Mitotic metaphase chromosomes of Melandrium album obtained from root protoplasts were studied. Morphologically, the chromosomes were either metacentrics or submetacentrics. They were classified into three distinct groups: group A comprising six pairs of autosomal metacentrics, group B comprising five pairs of autosomal submetacentrics, and the sex chromosomes: X and Y. The X chromosome is a metacentric (r = 1.44), which accounts for more than 14% of the genome. The Y chromosome is a metacentric with, virtually, equal arms (r = 1.09) and accounts for 21% of the genome, being the largest of the complement. The Y:X ratio was 1.4. Ethidium bromide, caffeine, and vinblastine were used to obtain a better resolution and higher frequency of satellited chromosomes 7q and 9p. The proposed karyotype of M. album is 2n = 24, XX, s(7q;9p) for female and 2n = 24, XY, s(7q;9p) for male plants. Nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) were present at the telomeric sites of three chromosome pairs: 7q, 9p, and 10p. The NORs were polymorphic, particularly between the nonhomologous chromosomes. The in situ hybridization technique localized the rRNA genes on four chromosome pairs: 5p, 7q, 9p, and 10p. The discrepancy between the NORs and the hybridization signals was probably due to the fact that NORs were restricted only to transcriptionally active rRNA genes. It was concluded that for a complete description and characterization of rRNA genes, both NOR detection and in situ hybridization techniques, as complementary methods, should be employed.Key words: Melandrium album, karyotype, satellites, idiogram, nucleolus organizer regions, in situ hybridization.


1990 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. 1237-1256 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Derenzini ◽  
M Thiry ◽  
G Goessens

In the present review on the organization of the mammalian cell nucleolus, we report and discuss data obtained during the past 10 years by means of cytochemical and immunocytochemical ultrastructural techniques. Particular emphasis is placed on the following topics: location of the nucleolus organizer regions in interphasic nucleolar components, structure of nucleolar chromatin in situ, and the structure-function relationship of the nucleolar components. The cytochemical and immunocytochemical results are compared and the concordant data are stressed for each topic.


Genome ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 542-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Friebe ◽  
N.-S. Kim ◽  
J. Kuspira ◽  
B. S. Gill

Cytogenetic studies in Triticum monococcum (2n = 2x = 14) are nonexistent. To initiate such investigations in this species, a series of primary trisomics was generated from autotriploids derived from crosses between induced autotetraploids and diploids. All trisomics differed phenotypically from their diploid progenitors. Only two of the seven possible primary trisomic types produced distinct morphological features on the basis of which they could be distinguished. The chromosomes in the karyotype were morphologically very similar and could not be unequivocally identified using standard techniques. Therefore, C-banding was used to identify the chromosomes and trisomics of this species. Ag–NOR staining and in situ hybridization, using rDNA probes, were used to substantiate these identifications. A comparison of the C-banding patterns of the chromosomes of T. monococcum with those of the A genome in Triticum aestivum permitted identification of five of its chromosomes, viz., 1A, 2A, 3A, 5A, and 7A. The two remaining chromosomes possessed C-banding patterns that were not equivalent to those of any of the chromosomes in the A genome of the polyploid wheats. When one of these undesignated chromosomes from T. monococcum var. boeoticum was substituted for chromosome 4A of Triticum turgidum, it compensated well phenotypically and therefore genetically for the loss of this chromosome in the recipient species. Because this T. monococcum chromosome appeared to be homoeologous to the group 4 chromosomes of polyploid wheats, it was designated 4A. By the process of elimination the second undesignated chromosome in T. monococcum must be 6A. Analysis of the trisomics obtained led to the following conclusions. (i) Trisomics for chromosome 3A were not found among the trisomic lines analyzed cytologically. (ii) Primary trisomics for chromosomes 2A, 4A, 6A, and 7A were positively identified. (iii) Trisomics for the SAT chromosomes 1A and 5A were positively identified in some cases and not in others because of polymorphism in the telomeric C-band of the short arm of chromosome 1A. (iv) Trisomics for chromosome 7A were identified on the basis of their distinct phenotype, viz., the small narrow heads and small narrow leaves. Because rRNA hybridizes lightly to nucleolus organizer regions on chromosome 1A and heavily to nucleolus organizer regions on chromosome 5A, our results indicate that trisomics in line 50 carry chromosome 1A in triple dose and trisomics in lines 28 and 51 carry chromosome 5A in triplicate. Variable hybridization of the rDNA probe to nucleolus organizer regions on chromosomes in triple dose in lines 7, 20, and 28 precluded the identification of the extra chromosome in these lines. Cytogenetic methods for unequivocally identifying trisomics for chromosomes 1A and 5A are discussed. Thus six of the series of primary trisomics have been identified. Telotrisomic lines are also being produced.Key words: Triticum monococcum, trisomics, C-banding, Ag-NOR staining, in situ hybridization, rDNA probes, plant morphology.


2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Oliveira ◽  
Mauro Nirchio ◽  
Ángel Granado ◽  
Sara Levy

Fish of the family Prochilodontidae are considered one of the most important components of commercial and subsistence fishery in freshwater environments in South America. This family consists of 21 species and three genera. In the present study, the karyotypes of Prochilodus mariae, Semaprochilodus kneri, and S. laticeps from Caicara del Orinoco, Bolivar State, Venezuela were studied. The species P. mariae, S. kneri and S. laticeps exhibited 2n=54 chromosomes (40 metacentric and 14 submetacentric), a single chromosome pair with nucleolus organizer regions, and a large amount of heterochromatin found at centromeric and pericentromeric positions in almost all chromosomes. The P. mariae specimens studied displayed 0 to 3 supernumerary microchromosomes. The data obtained here confirm the conservative nature of the chromosome number and morphology of Prochilodontidae and reinforce the hypothesis that small structural chromosome rearrangements were the main cause of the karyotypic diversification seen in this group.


1983 ◽  
Vol 3 (11) ◽  
pp. 2066-2075 ◽  
Author(s):  
G M Wahl ◽  
L Vitto ◽  
J Rubnitz

The amplified CAD genes in N-(phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartate (PALA)-resistant Syrian hamster cells are located in an expanded chromosomal region emanating from the site of the wild-type gene at the tip of the short arm of chromosome B-9. The terminus of B-9 in PALA-sensitive cells contains a cluster of rRNA genes (i.e., a nucleolus organizer, rDNA). We have used a molecular clone containing sequences complementary to Syrian hamster 28S rRNA to investigate whether rDNA is coamplified with CAD genes in the PALA-resistant mutants. In situ hybridization of this probe to metaphase chromosomes demonstrates that rDNA and CAD genes do coamplify in two independently isolated PALA-resistant mutants. The tight linkage of CAD and rDNA genes was demonstrated by their coordinate translocation from B-9 to the end of the long arm of chromosome C-11 in one mutant. Blot hybridization studies substantiate the in situ hybridization results. Both types of analysis indicate that only one or two rDNA genes, on the average, are coamplified per CAD gene. The data are consistent with the model that unequal exchanges between rDNA genes mediate the amplification of CAD genes in the Syrian hamster mutants that were analyzed.


2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Paes da Cruz ◽  
Cristiane Kioko Shimabukuro-Dias ◽  
Claudio Oliveira ◽  
Fausto Foresti

Cytogenetic analysis of Potamotrygon aff. motoro and P. falkneri indicated the occurrence of an X1X1X2X2/X1X2 Y multiple sex chromosome system in both species, with 2n = 66 chromosomes for females and 2n = 65 chromosomes for males. The nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) identified using Ag-NOR technique showed that both species have multiple Ag-NORs (5 to 7 chromosomes stained). C-banding technique indicated the presence of heterochromatic blocks in the centromeric regions of almost all chromosomes in both species. Through this study there was evidence of heterogeneity in the karyotypes, which suggests that chromosomal rearrangements such as inversions and/or translocations occurred during the chromosomal evolution in two species of this genus.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 971
Author(s):  
Hirohisa Hirai

The nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) demonstrate differences in genomic dispersion and transcriptional activity among all organisms. I postulate that such differences stem from distinct genomic structures and their interactions from chromosome observations using fluorescence in situ hybridization and silver nitrate staining methods. Examples in primates and Australian bulldog ants indicate that chromosomal features indeed play a significant role in determining the properties of NORs. In primates, rDNA arrays that are located on the short arm of acrocentrics frequently form reciprocal associations (“affinity”), but they lack such associations (“non-affinity”) with other repeat arrays—a binary molecular effect. These “rules” of affinity vs. non-affinity are extrapolated from the chromosomal configurations of meiotic prophase. In bulldog ants, genomic dispersions of rDNA loci expand much more widely following an increase in the number of acrocentric chromosomes formed by centric fission. Affinity appears to be a significantly greater force: associations likely form among rDNA and heterochromatin arrays of acrocentrics—thus, more acrocentrics bring about more rDNA loci. The specific interactions among NOR-related genome structures remain unclear and require further investigation. Here, I propose that there are limited and non-limited genomic dispersion systems that result from genomic affinity rules, inducing specific chromosomal configurations that are related to NORs.


2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Américo Moraes Neto ◽  
Maelin da Silva ◽  
Daniele Aparecida Matoso ◽  
Marcelo Ricardo Vicari ◽  
Mara Cristina de Almeida ◽  
...  

Karyotypic data are presented for four species of fish belonging to the Pimelodidae family. These species show a conserved diploid number, 2n = 56 chromosomes, with different karyotypic formulae. The analyzed species showed little amount of heterochromatin located preferentially in the centromeric and telomeric regions of some chromosomes. The nucleolus organizer regions activity (Ag-NORs) and the chromosomal location of ribosomal genes by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), with 18S and 5S probes, showing only one chromosome pair marked bearer of ribosomal genes, the only exception was Pimelodus britskii that presented multiple NORs and syntenic location of the 18S and 5S probes. Non-Robertsonian events, as pericentric inversion and NORs duplication are requested to explain the karyotype diversification in Pseudoplatystoma from the rio Paraguay (MS), Pimelodus from the rio Iguaçu (PR), Sorubim from the rio Paraguay (MS) and Steindachneridion from the rio Paraíba do Sul (SP). The obtained data for the karyotype macrostructure of these species corroborates a conserved pattern observed in Pimelodidae. On the other hand, interspecific variations detected by molecular cytogenetics markers made possible cytotaxonomic inferences and differentiation of the species here analyzed.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Alex M.V. Ferreira ◽  
Patrik F. Viana ◽  
Jansen Zuanon ◽  
Tariq Ezaz ◽  
Marcelo B. Cioffi ◽  
...  

Despite conservation of the diploid number, a huge diversity in karyotype formulae is found in the Ancistrini tribe (Loricariidae, Hypostominae). However, the lack of cytogenetic data for many groups impairs a comprehensive understanding of the chromosomal relationships and the impact of chromosomal changes on their evolutionary history. Here, we present for the first time the karyotype of Panaqolus tankei Cramer & Sousa, 2016. We focused on the chromosomal characterization, using conventional and molecular cytogenetic techniques to unravel the evolutionary trends of this tribe. P. tankei, as most species of its sister group Pterygoplichthini, also possessess a conserved diploid number of 52 chromosomes. We observed heterochromatin regions in the centromeres of many chromosomes; pairs 5 and 6 presented interstitial heterochromatin regions, whereas pairs 23 and 24 showed extensive heterochromatin regions in their q arms. In situ localization of 18S rDNA showed hybridization signals correlating with the nucleolus organizer regions, which are located in the q arms of pair 5. However, the 5S rDNA was detected in the centromeric and terminal regions of the q arms of pair 8. (TTAGGG)n hybridized only in the terminal regions of all chromosomes. Microsatellite in situ localization showed divergent patterns, (GA)15 repeated sequences were restricted to the terminal regions of some chromosomes, whereas (AC)15 and (GT)15 showed a scattered hybridization pattern throughout the genome. Intraspecific comparative genomic hybridization was performed on the chromosomes of P. tankei to verify the existence of sex-specific regions. The results revealed only a limited number of overlapping hybridization signals, coinciding with the heterochromatin in centromeric regions without any sex-specific signals in both males and females. Our study provides a karyotype description of P. tankei, highlighting extensive differences in the karyotype formula, the heterochromatin regions, and sites of 5S and 18S rDNA, as compared with data available for the genus.


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