The heterochromatin block that functions as a rod cell microlens in owl monkeys formed within a 15 million year time span

In rod cells of many nocturnal mammals, heterochromatin localizes to the central region of the nucleus and serves as a lens to send light efficiently to the photoreceptor region. The genus Aotus (owl monkeys) is commonly considered to have undergone a shift from diurnal to nocturnal lifestyle. We recently demonstrated that rod cells of the Aotus species A. azarae possess a heterochromatin block at the center of its nucleus. The purpose of the present study was to estimate the time span in which the formation of the heterochromatin block took place. We performed three-dimensional hybridization analysis of the rod cell of another species, A. lemurinus. This analysis revealed the presence of a heterochromatin block that consisted of the same DNA components as those in A. azarae. These results indicate that the formation was complete at or before the separation of the two species. Based on the commonly accepted evolutionary history of New World monkeys and specifically of owl monkeys, the time span for the entire formation process was estimated to be 15 million years at most.

Sex determination and Y chromosome constitutive heterochromatin

In many animals, including us, the genetic sex is determined at fertilization by sex chromosomes. Seemingly, the sex determination (SD) in human and animals is determined by the amount of constitutive heterochromatin on Y chromosome via cell thermoregulation. It is assumed the medulla and cortex tissue cells in the undifferentiated embryonic gonads (UEG) differ in vulnerability to the increase of the intracellular temperature. If the amount of the Y chromosome constitutive heterochromatin is enough for efficient elimination of heat difference between the nucleus and cytoplasm in rapidly growing UEG cells the medulla tissue survives. Otherwise it doomed to degeneration and a cortex tissue will remain in the UEG. Regardless of whether our assumption is true or not, it remains an open question why on Y chromosome there is a large constitutive heterochromatin block? What is its biological meaning? Does it relate to sex determination, sex differentiation and development of secondary sexual characteristics? If so, what is its mechanism: chemical or physical? There is no scientifically sound answer to these questions.

Heterochromatin as a factor affecting X-inactivation in interspecific female vole hybrids (Microtidae, Rodentia)

SummaryFemale interspecific vole hybrids were examined for the expression of the G6PD and GALA genes on the X chromosomes. When one of the parents was a species with a heterochromatin block on the X, and the other parent was M. arvalis, without a heterochromatin block on the X, preferential expression of the genes of the M. arvalis X was consistently observed. When both parental species had heterochromatin on the X, the parental forms of G6PD and GALA were in about equal proportions in the hybrid females. The results of the cytological identification of the active and inactive X on the metaphase spreads in the hybrid females are in agreement with the biochemical results. It is suggested that the observed phenomenon may be due to a nonrandom inactivation of the X chromosome containing a heterochromatin block in crosses involving M. arvalis and by a random inactivation in those with both parents having heterochromatin blocks on the X chromosomes. These results support our previous suggestion that heterochromatin has an effect on X inactivation in female interspecific vole hybrids.

THE EFFECT OF TELOMERIC HETEROCHROMATIN FROM SECALE CEREALE ON TRITICALE (X TRITICOSECALE). II. THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF BLOCKS OF HETEROCHROMATIN IN ISOGENIC BACKGROUNDS

The influence of telomeric heterochromatin blocks on early embryo and endosperm development, and on various agronomic parameters seen at maturity, was investigated using triticales (× Triticosecale Wittmack) isogenic for the presence or absence of the heterochromatin blocks on rye (Secale cereale L.) chromosomes 6R and 7R/4R. Absence of the telomeric heterochromatin blocks from the long arm of rye chromosome pair 7R/4R in DRIRA, and from the short arm of rye chromosome pair 6R in Rosner was significantly related with a lower production of aberrant endosperm nuclei and an increased kernel weight. The loss of the heterochromatin block on rye chromosome pair 7R/4R in DRIRA resulted in a significant yield increase, while there was no increase in yield when the heterochromatin block was missing from rye chromosome pair 6R in Rosner. The lack of yield increase in Rosner was apparently due to a significant decrease in fertility when the heterochromatin block on 6R was lost. The loss of the heterochromatin block on the short arm of rye chromosome 6R appears to have the same effect on aberrant endosperm nuclei production and kernel weight in two different genetic backgrounds. The rate of embryo and endosperm development showed a small but significant increase when the heterochromatin blocks were lost from both 6R and 7R/4R.