CHROMOSOMAL POLYMORPHISM IN BULGARIAN PATIENTS WITH REPRODUCTIVE PROBLEMS – ONE GENETIC CENTRE EXPERIENCE

Chromosomal polymorphism is described as normal variants at chromosomal regions with no impact on the phenotype but a possible correlation to infertility and recurrent spontaneous abortions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the chromosomal polymorphisms involved in families with reproductive failures in the Bulgarian population. Material and methods: A total of 1733 patients with unexplained reproductive failures who visited the Laboratory of Medical Genetics – Varna, Bulgaria, (2004 - 2019) were investigated by conventional cytogenetic analysis GTG and CBG differential banding techniques and analyzed at the resolution 400-550 GTG bands. Results: Chromosomal polymorphisms were found in 173 infertile patients (9,98%). The sex distribution was 6,52% males and 3,46% females. The most frequent finding was inv(9)(qh) (23,7%). The other chromosomal variants, which were found, consisted: 9qh+/- variants (15,1%); polymorphisms on the short arms of the acrocentric chromosomes (21,4%); 16qh+ (12,7%) and 1qh+ (6,9%). Y chromosome polymorphism was found in 27,4% of the males with polymorphisms. Two rare cases of polymorphism involving the centromere regions - 19qcenh+ and 20pcenh+ were also found. Conclusion: There is growing evidence that polymorphisms may have a clinical impact on fertility and could take part in the etiology of RF. In this study, we found a significantly high percentage of polymorphisms (9,98%) among the tested patients, and they were more common among males. The statistical significance of increased incidence of chromosome variations found in our study emphasizes the need for routine evaluation of their role in families with RF in our country.

Debaryomyces hansenii Strains Isolated From Danish Cheese Brines Act as Biocontrol Agents to Inhibit Germination and Growth of Contaminating Molds

The antagonistic activities of native Debaryomyces hansenii strains isolated from Danish cheese brines were evaluated against contaminating molds in the dairy industry. Determination of chromosome polymorphism by use of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed a huge genetic heterogeneity among the D. hansenii strains, which was reflected in intra-species variation at the phenotypic level. 11 D. hansenii strains were tested for their ability to inhibit germination and growth of contaminating molds, frequently occurring at Danish dairies, i.e., Cladosporium inversicolor, Cladosporium sinuosum, Fusarium avenaceum, Mucor racemosus, and Penicillium roqueforti. Especially the germination of C. inversicolor and P. roqueforti was significantly inhibited by cell-free supernatants of all D. hansenii strains. The underlying factors behind the inhibitory effects of the D. hansenii cell-free supernatants were investigated. Based on dynamic headspace sampling followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (DHS-GC-MS), 71 volatile compounds (VOCs) produced by the D. hansenii strains were identified, including 6 acids, 22 alcohols, 15 aldehydes, 3 benzene derivatives, 8 esters, 3 heterocyclic compounds, 12 ketones, and 2 phenols. Among the 71 identified VOCs, inhibition of germination of C. inversicolor correlated strongly with three VOCs, i.e., 3-methylbutanoic acid, 2-pentanone as well as acetic acid. For P. roqueforti, two VOCs correlated with inhibition of germination, i.e., acetone and 2-phenylethanol, of which the latter also correlated strongly with inhibition of mycelium growth. Low half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were especially observed for 3-methylbutanoic acid, i.e., 6.32–9.53 × 10–5 and 2.00–2.67 × 10–4 mol/L for C. inversicolor and P. roqueforti, respectively. For 2-phenylethanol, a well-known quorum sensing molecule, the IC50 was 1.99–7.49 × 10–3 and 1.73–3.45 × 10–3 mol/L for C. inversicolor and P. roqueforti, respectively. For acetic acid, the IC50 was 1.35–2.47 × 10–3 and 1.19–2.80 × 10–3 mol/L for C. inversicolor and P. roqueforti, respectively. Finally, relative weak inhibition was observed for 2-pentanone and acetone. The current study shows that native strains of D. hansenii isolated from Danish brines have antagonistic effects against specific contaminating molds and points to the development of D. hansenii strains as bioprotective cultures, targeting cheese brines and cheese surfaces.

Analysis of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms on Locus 13q33.1-34 in Multigenerational Families of Cleft Lip Palate using MassArray

BACKGROUND: Cleft lip palate is a common congenital anomaly with multifactorial etiology. Many high-risk markers at different loci were reported to be involved in its etiology. Advanced genetic research led to the discovery of evidence of a new linkage on 13q33.1-34 region at marker rs1830756 in two multigenerational Indian families. However, no further study was reported to confirm or validate this linkage in other families. Hence, the present study was designed.METHODS: Twenty multigenerational families affected by non-syndromic cleft lip palate were selected for the study. Polymorphisms, rs1830756, rs1323672, rs1935135 of FAM155A gene; rs1961495, rs953386, rs1411040 of COL4A1 gene; and rs726449, rs984300 of MYO16 gene were selected. Genomic DNA was isolated and sent for genetic analysis by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping using the MassArray method. Statistical analysis of the genomic data was done by PLINK. Bonferroni correction was applied and haplotype analysis was done using Haploview software.RESULTS: Polymorphisms followed the Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium. In the allelic association, all the polymorphisms analysed showed no statistical significance. Hence, there was no significant difference in the allelic frequencies between non-syndromic cleft lip palate patients and healthy controls. The odds ratio was not more than 1.6 for all the SNPs. Haplotype analysis showed that haplotypes were not significantly higher in non-syndromic cleft patients than in control subjects.CONCLUSION: There is no association between SNPs analysed in the locus 13q33.1-34 with cleft lip palate.KEYWORDS: cleft lip palate, chromosome, polymorphism

A Large-scale Karyotype Analysis of Genetic Counselors and Fetuses Among Hakka Population in Southern China

Background: Karyotype analysis has been used in a clinical cytogenetic laboratory. A retrospective analysis of karyotype analysis in Meizhou area to provide valuable reference for clinical genetic counseling. A retrospective analysis of 5-year data of karyotype analysis from 5,289 peripheral blood samples and 2,882 fetuses between January 2015 and March 2020 in Meizhou area.Results: Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in a total of 392 peripheral blood samples, and the abnormality detection rate (ADR) was 7.41% (392/5,289). The ADR for sex chromosome aneuploidies, autosomal aneuploidies, structural abnormalities and chromosome polymorphisms were 1.29% (68/5,289), 0.72% (38/5,289), 1.55% (82/5,289) and 3.86% (204/5,289). Among cases with chromosomal abnormalities, numerical abnormalities, chromosomal structural abnormalities and chromosome polymorphism accounted for 27.04% (106/392), 20.92% (82/392) and 52.04% (204/392), respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the chromosomal abnormalities rate different types of patients. In addition, chromosomal abnormalities were detected in a total of 307 fetus samples, and the ADR was 10.65% (307/2,882). The ADR for sex chromosome aneuploidies, autosomal aneuploidies, triploid/tetraploid, structural abnormalities and chromosome polymorphisms were 1.70% (49/2,882), 5.45% (157/2,882), 0.14% (4/2,882), 1.39% (40/2,882) and 1.94% (56/2,882). Among fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities, numerical abnormalities, chromosomal structural abnormalities and chromosome polymorphism accounted for 68.40% (210/307), 13.03% (40/307) and 18.24% (56/307), respectively. The chromosomal abnormalities rate was higher than that in non-elderly pregnant women. Abnormal chromosome karyotype detection rate is higher in genetic counselors in Meizhou area.Conclusions: Karyotype analysis has great significance for clinical diagnosis, guide the healthy birth, and improve the quality of the population.

Middle eastern genetic legacy in the paternal and maternal gene pools of Chuetas

Chuetas are a group of descendants of Majorcan Crypto-Jews (Balearic Islands, Spain) who were socially stigmatized and segregated by their Majorcan neighbours until recently; generating a community that, although after the seventeenth century no longer contained Judaic religious elements, maintained strong group cohesion, Jewishness consciousness, and endogamy. Collective memory fixed 15 surnames as a most important defining element of Chueta families. Previous studies demonstrated Chuetas were a differentiated population, with a considerable proportion of their original genetic make-up. Genetic data of Y-chromosome polymorphism and mtDNA control region showed, in Chuetas’ paternal lineages, high prevalence of haplogroups J2-M172 (33%) and J1-M267 (18%). In maternal lineages, the Chuetas hallmark is the presence of a new sub-branching of the rare haplogroup R0a2m as their modal haplogroup (21%). Genetic diversity in both Y-chromosome and mtDNA indicates the Chueta community has managed to avoid the expected heterogeneity decrease in their gene pool after centuries of isolation and inbreeding. Moreover, the composition of their uniparentally transmitted lineages demonstrates a remarkable signature of Middle Eastern ancestry—despite some degree of host admixture—confirming Chuetas have retained over the centuries a considerable degree of ancestral genetic signature along with the cultural memory of their Jewish origin.

Geographic distribution of sex chromosome polymorphism in Anastrepha fraterculus sp. 1 from Argentina

Background Anastrepha fraterculus is recognized as a quarantine pest in several American countries. This fruit fly species is native to the American continent and distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions. It has been reported as a complex of cryptic species, and at least eight morphotypes have been described. Only one entity of this complex, formerly named Anastrepha fraterculus sp. 1, is present in Argentina. Previous cytogenetic studies on this morphotype described the presence of sex chromosome variation identified by chromosomal size and staining patterns. In this work, we expanded the cytological study of this morphotype by analyzing laboratory strains and wild populations to provide information about the frequency and geographic distribution of these sex chromosome variants. We analyzed the mitotic metaphases of individuals from four laboratory strains and five wild populations from the main fruit-producing areas of Argentina, including the northwest (Tucumán and La Rioja), northeast (Entre Ríos and Misiones), and center (Buenos Aires) of the country. Results In wild samples, we observed a high frequency of X1X1 (0.94) and X1Y5 (0.93) karyomorphs, whereas X1X2 and X1Y6 were exclusively found at a low frequency in Buenos Aires (0.07 and 0.13, respectively), Entre Ríos (0.16 and 0.14, respectively) and Tucumán (0.03 and 0.04, respectively). X2X2 and X2Y5 karyomorphs were not found in wild populations but were detected at a low frequency in laboratory strains. In fact, karyomorph frequencies differed between wild populations and laboratory strains. No significant differences among A. fraterculus wild populations were evidenced in either karyotypic or chromosomal frequencies. However, a significant correlation was observed between Y5 chromosomal frequency and latitude. Conclusions We discuss the importance of cytogenetics to understand the possible route of invasion and dispersion of this pest in Argentina and the evolutionary forces acting under laboratory conditions, possibly driving changes in the chromosomal frequencies. Our findings provide deep and integral genetic knowledge of this species, which has become of relevance to the characterization and selection of valuable A. fraterculus sp. 1 strains for mass rearing production and SIT implementation.

Extreme Y chromosome polymorphism corresponds to five male reproductive morphs

Sex chromosomes form once recombination is halted between the X and Y chromosomes. This loss of recombination quickly depletes Y chromosomes of functional content and genetic variation, which is thought to severely limit their potential to generate adaptive diversity. We examined Y diversity in Poecilia parae, where males occur as one of five discrete morphs, all of which shoal together in natural populations where morph frequency has been stable for over 50 years. Each morph utilizes different complex reproductive strategies, and differ dramatically from each other in color, body size, and mating behavior. Remarkably, morph phenotype is passed perfectly from father to son, indicating there are five Y haplotypes segregating in the species, each of which encodes the complex male morph characteristics. Using linked-read sequencing on multiple P. parae females and males of all five morphs from natural populations, we found that the genetic architecture of the male morphs evolved on the Y chromosome long after recombination suppression had occurred with the X. Comparing Y chromosomes between each of the morphs revealed that although the Ys of the three minor morphs that differ predominantly in color are highly similar, there are substantial amounts of unique genetic material and divergence between the Ys of the three major morphs that differ in reproductive strategy, body size and mating behavior. Taken together, our results reveal the extraordinary ability of evolution to overcome the constraints of recombination loss to generate extreme diversity resulting in five discrete Y chromosomes that control complex reproductive strategies.Significance StatementThe loss of recombination on the Y chromosome is thought to limit the adaptive potential of this unique genomic region. Despite this, we describe an extraordinary case of Y chromosome adaptation in Poecilia parae. This species contains five co-occurring male morphs, all of which are Y-linked, and which differ in reproductive strategy, body size, coloration, and mating behavior. The five Y-linked male morphs of P. parae evolved after recombination was halted on the Y, resulting in five unique Y chromosomes within one species. Our results reveal the surprising magnitude to which non-recombining regions can generate adaptive diversity and have important implications for the evolution of sex chromosomes and the genetic control of sex-linked diversity.

The role of cytogenetic variation in Akodon cursor species complex speciation (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae)

Chromosome polymorphism in populations of Akodon cursor complex (124 specimens) and the karyotypes of other Akodon species (92 specimens) from Brazil were analyzed. Five species were analyzed: Akodon cursor with 2n = 14, and Akodon aff. cursor with 2n = 16, Akodon montensis with 2n = 24, Akodon paranaensis with 2n = 44 and Akodon serrensis with 2n = 46. Chromosome polymorphism was observed in A. cursor and A. aff. cursor showing pericentric inversions, and also in A. paranaensis and A. montensis presenting supernumerary chromosomes. Pericentric inversion polymorphism affecting two autosomes pairs in A. cursor karyotype was found in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Akodon with 2n = 16 occurred from Bahia to Rio Grande do Norte states and A. cursor with 2n = 14 from Bahia to Paraná states. Molecular analyses showed high genetic distance estimates between such set of samples, suggesting that karyomorphic type 2n = 16 is fixed in the northern part of the distribution of Akodon cursor complex. Captive hybrids males between Akodon [2n = 14] x [2n = 16] are apparently sterile, suggesting these populations may represent two full species.