Insights into Emydid Turtle Cytogenetics: The European Pond Turtle as a Model Species

2019 ◽  
Vol 157 (3) ◽  
pp. 166-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessio Iannucci ◽  
Marta Svartman ◽  
Massimo Bellavita ◽  
Guido Chelazzi ◽  
Roscoe Stanyon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Banding ◽  
Molecular Cytogenetics ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Emys Orbicularis ◽  
Rdna Genes ◽  
Telomeric Sequences ◽  
Pond Turtle ◽  
Cytogenetic Data ◽  
Cryptic Sex

Our knowledge of Testudines evolution is limited by the lack of modern cytogenetic data. Compared to other reptiles, there is little information even on chromosome banding, let alone molecular cytogenetic data. Here, we provide detailed information on the karyotype of the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis, a model Emydidae, employing both chromosome banding and molecular cytogenetics. We provide a high-resolution G-banded karyotype and a map of rDNA genes and telomeric sequences using fluorescence in situ hybridization. We test hypotheses of sex-determining mechanisms in Emys by comparative genomic hybridization to determine if Emys has a cryptic sex-specific region. Our results provide valuable data to guide future efforts on genome sequencing and anchoring in Emydidae and for understanding karyotype evolution in Testudines.

scholarly journals Comparative Genomic In Situ Hybridization and the Possible Role of Retroelements in the Karyotypic Evolution of Three Akodontini Species

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naiara Pereira Araújo ◽  
Gustavo Campos Silva Kuhn ◽  
Flávia Nunes Vieira ◽  
Thaís Queiroz Morcatty ◽  
Adriano Pereira Paglia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Molecular Cytogenetics ◽  
Endogenous Retrovirus ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
South American ◽  
Telomeric Sequences ◽  
Pericentric Inversions ◽  
Robertsonian Rearrangements ◽  
Genomic Dnas

South American Akodontini rodents are characterized by a large number of chromosome rearrangements. Among them, the genus Akodon has been extensively analyzed with classical and molecular cytogenetics, which allowed the identification of a large number of intra- and interspecific chromosomal variation due to Robertsonian rearrangements, pericentric inversions, and heterochromatin additions/deletions. In order to shed some light on the cause of these rearrangements, we comparatively analyzed the karyotypes of three Akodontini species, Akodon cursor (2n = 14, FN = 19), A. montensis (2n = 24, FN = 42), and Necromys lasiurus (2n = 34, FN = 34), after GTG- and CBG-banding. The karyotypes differed by Robertsonian rearrangements, pericentric inversions, centromere repositioning, and heterochromatin variation. Genome comparisons were performed through interspecific fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with total genomic DNAs of each species as probes (GISH). Our results revealed considerable conservation of the euchromatic portions among the three karyotypes suggesting that they mostly differ in their heterochromatic regions. FISH was also performed to assess the distribution of telomeric sequences, long and short interspersed repetitive elements (LINE-1 and B1 SINE) and of the endogenous retrovirus mysTR in the genomes of the three species. The results led us to infer that transposable elements have played an important role in the enormous chromosome variation found in Akodontini.

scholarly journals ZZ/ZW Sex Determination with Multiple Neo-Sex Chromosomes is Common in Madagascan Chameleons of the Genus Furcifer (Reptilia: Chamaeleonidae)

Genes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rovatsos ◽  
Altmanová ◽  
Augstenová ◽  
Mazzoleni ◽  
Velenský ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Telomeric Sequences ◽  
Female Heterogamety ◽  
Chromosomal Variability ◽  
Determination System ◽  
Hybridization In Situ ◽  
Sex Determination System

Chameleons are well-known, highly distinctive lizards characterized by unique morphological and physiological traits, but their karyotypes and sex determination system have remained poorly studied. We studied karyotypes in six species of Madagascan chameleons of the genus Furcifer by classical (conventional stain, C-banding) and molecular (comparative genomic hybridization, in situ hybridization with rDNA, microsatellite, and telomeric sequences) cytogenetic approaches. In contrast to most sauropsid lineages, the chameleons of the genus Furcifer show chromosomal variability even among closely related species, with diploid chromosome numbers varying from 2n = 22 to 2n = 28. We identified female heterogamety with cytogenetically distinct Z and W sex chromosomes in all studied species. Notably, multiple neo-sex chromosomes in the form Z1Z1Z2Z2/Z1Z2W were uncovered in four species of the genus (F. bifidus, F. verrucosus, F. willsii, and previously studied F. pardalis). Phylogenetic distribution and morphology of sex chromosomes suggest that multiple sex chromosomes, which are generally very rare among vertebrates with female heterogamety, possibly evolved several times within the genus Furcifer. Although acrodontan lizards (chameleons and dragon lizards) demonstrate otherwise notable variability in sex determination, it seems that female heterogamety with differentiated sex chromosomes remained stable in the chameleons of the genus Furcifer for about 30 million years.

Visualizing DNA domains and sequences by microscopy: a fifty-year history of molecular cytogenetics

Genome ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 943-946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans de Jong
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Banding ◽  
Molecular Cytogenetics ◽  
Historical Review ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Chromosome Research ◽  
Specific Chemical ◽  
Detection Systems

This short review presents a historical perspective of chromosome research during the last 50 years. It shows how molecular knowledge and technology of DNA entered cytogenetics step by step making it now daily practice in almost every modern chromosome lab. A crucial milestone in these decades has been the development of in situ protocols by Pardue and Gall, among others, initially only with isotopic labels, and without fluorescence microscopy and sophisticated detection systems. But these very first in situ hybridizations played a decisive role in the discovery of chromosome banding profiles, which were obtained under specific chemical, physical, or enzymatic conditions, thus effecting stainability of specific chromosome regions. In the decades thereafter, numerous technical improvements were achieved leading to complex multi-colour fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) protocols for mammals, plants, and insects. Highly improved detection systems of the FISH signals further allowed detection of DNA targets of up to 50 bp, whereas other protocols, which were developed to stretch chromatin fibres to the full length of native DNA, improved spatial resolution of adjacent targets in the light microscope to 1 kb.Key words: historical review, chromosome banding, FISH technology.

scholarly journals Cytogenetically Elusive Sex Chromosomes in Scincoidean Lizards

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (16) ◽  
pp. 8670
Author(s):  
Alexander Kostmann ◽  
Barbora Augstenová ◽  
Daniel Frynta ◽  
Lukáš Kratochvíl ◽  
Michail Rovatsos
Keyword(s):  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Chromosome Morphology ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Morphological Divergence ◽  
Telomeric Sequences ◽  
Molecular Cytogenetic ◽  
Interstitial Telomeric Sequences ◽  
Rdna Loci ◽  
Cytogenetic Methods

The lizards of the species-rich clade Scincoidea including cordylids, gerrhosaurids, skinks, and xantusiids, show an almost cosmopolitan geographical distribution and a remarkable ecological and morphological divergence. However, previous studies revealed limited variability in cytogenetic traits. The sex determination mode was revealed only in a handful of gerrhosaurid, skink, and xantusiid species, which demonstrated either ZZ/ZW or XX/XY sex chromosomes. In this study, we explored the karyotypes of six species of skinks, two species of cordylids, and one gerrhosaurid. We applied conventional and molecular cytogenetic methods, including C-banding, fluorescence in situ hybridization with probes specific for telomeric motifs and rDNA loci, and comparative genomic hybridization. The diploid chromosome numbers are rather conserved among these species, but the chromosome morphology, the presence of interstitial telomeric sequences, and the topology of rDNA loci vary significantly. Notably, XX/XY sex chromosomes were identified only in Tiliqua scincoides, where, in contrast to the X chromosome, the Y chromosome lacks accumulations of rDNA loci. We confirm that within the lizards of the scincoidean clade, sex chromosomes remained in a generally poor stage of differentiation.

scholarly journals Molecular cytogenetics insights in two pelagic big-game fishes in the Atlantic, the tarpon, Megalops atlanticus (Elopiformes: Megalopidae), and the sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus (Istiophoriformes: Istiophoridae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Xavier Soares ◽  
Gideão Wagner Werneck Félix da Costa ◽  
Marcelo de Bello Cioffi ◽  
Luiz Antonio Carlos Bertollo ◽  
Clóvis Coutinho da Motta-Neto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Cytogenetics ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Commercial Fishing ◽  
Fluorochrome Staining ◽  
Istiophorus Platypterus ◽  
Megalops Atlanticus ◽  
Cytogenetic Data ◽  
Evolutionary Paths

Abstract Some pelagic and usually large sized fishes are preferential targets for sport and commercial fishing. Despite their economic importance, cytogenetic data on their evolutionary processes and management are very deficient, especially due to logistical difficulties. Here, information for two of such charismatic species, the tarpon, Megalops atlanticus (Elopiformes: Megalopidae), and the sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus (Istiophoriformes: Istiophoridae), both with a wide Atlantic distribution, were provided. Cytogenetic data were obtained using conventional methods (Giemsa staining, Ag-NORs technique, and C-banding), base-specific fluorochrome staining and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with rDNA probes. Megalops atlanticus has 2n = 50 chromosomes, all acrocentric ones (NF = 50), while Istiophorus platypterus has 2n = 48 chromosomes, 2m + 2st + 44a (NF = 52). Megalops atlanticus populations from the South Atlantic and Caribbean share identical karyotypic patterns, likely associated with gene flow between them. In turn, I. platypterus presents karyotype similarities with phylogenetically close groups, such as Carangidae. The chromosomal characteristics of these species highlight their independent evolutionary paths. Additionally, the current data contribute to knowledge of new aspects of pelagic fish fauna and will support further comparative studies with congeneric species, clarifying evolutionary karyotype trends of these fish groups.

scholarly journals Jacobsen syndrome and neonatal bleeding: report on two unrelated patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregorio Serra ◽  
Luigi Memo ◽  
Vincenzo Antona ◽  
Giovanni Corsello ◽  
Valentina Favero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Delay ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Fish Analysis ◽  
Variable Degree ◽  
Jacobsen Syndrome ◽  
Contiguous Gene ◽  
Clinical Consequences ◽  
11Q Deletion

Abstract Introduction In 1973, Petrea Jacobsen described the first patient showing dysmorphic features, developmental delay and congenital heart disease (atrial and ventricular septal defect) associated to a 11q deletion, inherited from the father. Since then, more than 200 patients have been reported, and the chromosomal critical region responsible for this contiguous gene disorder has been identified. Patients’ presentation We report on two unrelated newborns observed in Italy affected by Jacobsen syndrome (JBS, also known as 11q23 deletion). Both patients presented prenatal and postnatal bleeding, growth and developmental delay, craniofacial dysmorphisms, multiple congenital anomalies, and pancytopenia of variable degree. Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) identified a terminal deletion at 11q24.1-q25 of 12.5 Mb and 11 Mb, in Patient 1 and 2, respectively. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of the parents documented a de novo origin of the deletion for Patient 1; parents of Patient 2 refused further genetic investigations. Conclusions Present newborns show the full phenotype of JBS including thrombocytopenia, according to their wide 11q deletion size. Bleeding was particularly severe in one of them, leading to a cerebral hemorrhage. Our report highlights the relevance of early diagnosis, genetic counselling and careful management and follow-up of JBS patients, which may avoid severe clinical consequences and lower the mortality risk. It may provide further insights and a better characterization of JBS, suggesting new elements of the genotype-phenotype correlations.

scholarly journals A Biphasic Pleural Tumor with Features of an Epithelioid and Small Cell Mesothelioma: Morphologic and Molecular Findings

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Sarah Hackman ◽  
Richard D. Hammer ◽  
Lester Layfield
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Cavity ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Small Cell ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Cell Nuclei ◽  
Pleural Tumor ◽  
Young Males ◽  
Round Cell Tumors

Malignant mesotheliomas are generally classified into epithelioid, sarcomatoid, desmoplastic, and biphasic types with rare reports of a small cell form. These small cell variants display some morphologic overlap with desmoplastic small round cell tumors (DSRCTs) which generally occur within the abdominal cavity of young males and are defined by a characteristic t(11;22)(p13;q12) translocation. However, there are rare reports of DSRCTs lacking this translocation. We present a 78-year-old man with a pleura-based biphasic neoplasm with features of both epithelioid mesothelioma and a small cell blastema-like neoplasm. The epithelioid portion showed IHC reactivity for pan cytokeratin, CK5/6, D2-40, and calretinin and the small cell portion marked with CD99, pan cytokeratin, WT1, FLI1, S100, CD200, MyoD1, and CD15. Fluorescence in situ hybridization testing for the t(11;22)(p13;q12) translocation disclosed loss of theEWSR1gene in 94% of tumor cell nuclei, but there was no evidence of the classic translocation. Array based-comparative genomic hybridization (a-CGH) confirmed the tumor had numerous chromosome copy number losses, including 11p15.5-p11.12 and 22q12.1-q13.33, with loss of theEWSR1andWT1gene regions. Herein, we report novel complex CGH findings in a biphasic tumor and review the molecular genetic alterations in both mesothelioma and DSRCTs.

Hybridisation between turtle subspecies: a case study with the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis)

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthieu Raemy ◽  
Uwe Fritz ◽  
Marc Cheylan ◽  
Sylvain Ursenbacher
Keyword(s):  
Emys Orbicularis ◽  
Pond Turtle
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