Juan Alberto Marchal

X chromosome painting in Microtus: Origin and evolution of the giant sex chromosomes

Sex chromosomes in species of the genus Microtus present some characteristic features that make them a very interesting group to study sex chromosome composition and evolution. M. cabrerae and M. agrestis have enlarged sex chromosomes (known as ‘giant sex chromosomes’) due to the presence of large heterochromatic blocks. By chromosome microdissection, we have generated probes from the X chromosome of both species and hybridized on chromosomes from six Microtus and one Arvicola species. Our results demonstrated that euchromatic regions of X chromosomes in Microtus are highly conserved, as occurs in other mammalian groups. The sex chromosomes heterochromatic blocks are probably originated by fast amplification of different sequences, each with an independent origin and evolution in each species. For this reason, the sex heterochromatin in Microtus species is highly heterogeneous within species (with different composition for the Y and X heterochromatic regions in M. cabrerae) and between species (as the composition of M. agrestis and M. cabrerae sex heterochromatin is different). In addition, the X chromosome painting results on autosomes of several species suggest that, during karyotypic evolution of the genus Microtus, some rearrangements have probably occurred between sex chromosomes and autosomes.

Rapid, independent, and extensive amplification of telomeric repeats in pericentromeric regions in karyotypes of arvicoline rodents

The distribution of telomeric repeats was analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization in 15 species of arvicoline rodents, included in three different genera: Chionomys, Arvicola, and Microtus. The results demonstrated that in most or the analyzed species, telomeric sequences are present, in addition to normal telomeres localization, as large blocks in pericentromeric regions. The number, localization, and degree of amplification of telomeric sequences blocks varied with the karyotype and the morphology of the chromosomes. Also, in some cases telomeric amplification at non-pericentromeric regions is described. The interstitial telomeric sequences are evolutionary modern and have rapidly colonized and spread in pericentromeric regions of chromosomes by different mechanisms and probably independently in each species. Additionally, we colocalized telomeric repeats and the satellite DNA Msat-160 (also located in pericentromeric regions) in three species and cloned telomeric repeats in one of them. Finally, we discuss about the possible origin and implication of telomeric repeats in the high rate of karyotypic evolution reported for this rodent group.

Molecular and cytogenetic characterization of highly repeated DNA sequences in the vole Microtus cabrerae.

The genus Microtus presents several species with extremely large sex chromosomes that contain large blocks of constitutive heterochromatin. Several cytogenetic and molecular studies of the repetitive sequences in species of the genus Microtus have demonstrated that the heterochromatin is highly heterogeneous. We have cloned and characterized a family of repetitive DNA sequences from M. cabrerae, a species with large heterochromatic blocks on the giant sex chromosomes. These repetitive sequences are 65.84% A–T rich, organized in tandem, with a 161-bp unit and are located on the centromeric region of autosomes and the X chromosome. In addition, this repetitive DNA is located throughout the entire heterochromatic block of the X chromosome and on three interstitial bands in the heterochromatic block of the Y chromosome. Comparative analysis of this family of repetitive sequences from three Microtus species revealed that the development of these sequences has occurred by concerted evolution. Our results support the hypothesis that the heterochromatic blocks from the sex chromosomes of different species are evolving independently and they probably have the genetic capacity to amplify and retain different satellite DNAs. For a topic related to the location of these repetitive DNA sequences on the Y chromosome of M. cabrerae, we propose a model to explain the origin of a length polymorphism previously described for this chromosome.

Distribution of L1-retroposons on the giant sex chromosomes of Microtus cabrerae (Arvicolidae, Rodentia): functional and evolutionary implications

Long interspersed nuclear elements (L1 or LINE-1) are the most abundant and active retroposons in the mammalian genome. Traditionally, the bulk of L1 sequences have been explained by the ‘selfish DNA’ hypothesis; however, recently it has been also argued that L1s could play an important role in genome and gene organizations. The non-random chromosomal distribution of these retroelements is a striking feature considered to reflect this functionality. In the present study we have cloned and analyzed three different L1 fragments from the genome of the rodent Microtus cabrerae. In addition, we have examined the chromosomal distribution of this L1 in several species of Microtus, a very interesting group owing to the presence in some species of enlarged (‘giant’) sex chromosomes. Interestingly, in all species analyzed, L1-retroposons have preferentially accumulated on both the giant- and the normal-sized sex chromosomes compared with the autosomes. Also we have demonstrated that L1-retroposons are not similarly distributed among the heterochromatic blocks of the giant sex chromosomes in M. cabrerae and M. agrestis, which suggest that L1 retroposition and amplification over the sex heterochromatin have been different and independent processes in each species. Finally, we proposed that the main factors responsible for the L1 distribution on the mammalian sex chromosomes are the heterochromatic nature of the Y chromosome and the possible role of L1 sequences during the X-inactivation process.

Retroelements (LINEs and SINEs) in vole genomes: Differential distribution in the constitutive heterochromatin

The chromosomal distribution of mobile genetic elements is scarcely known in Arvicolinae species, but could be of relevance to understand the origin and complex evolution of the sex chromosome heterochromatin. In this work we cloned two retrotransposon sequences, L1 and SINE-B1, from the genome of Chionomys nivalis and investigated their chromosomal distribution on several arvicoline species. Our results demonstrate first that both retroelements are the most abundant repeated DNA sequences in the genome of these species. L1 elements, in most species, are highly accumulated in the sex chromosomes compared to the autosomes. This favoured L1 insertion could have played an important role in the origin of the enlarged heterochromatic blocks existing in the sex chromosomes of some Microtus species. Also, we propose that L1 accumulation on the X heterochromatin could have been the consequence of different, independent and rapid amplification processes acting in each species. SINE elements, however, were completely lacking from the constitutive heterochromatin, either in autosomes or in the heterochromatic blocks of sex chromosomes. These data could indicate that some SINE elements are incompatible with the formation of heterochromatic complexes and hence are necessarily missing from the constitutive heterochromatin.

Whole chromosome painting reveals independent origin of sex chromosomes in closely related forms of a fish species

The wolf fish Hoplias malabaricus includes well differentiated sex systems (XY and X1X2Y in karyomorphs B and D, respectively), a nascent XY pair (karyomorph C) and not recognized sex chromosomes (karyomorph A). We performed the evolutionary analysis of these sex chromosomes, using two X chromosome-specific probes derived by microdissection from the XY and X1X2Y sex systems. A putative-sex pair in karyomorph A was identified, from which the differentiated XY system was evolved, as well as the clearly evolutionary relationship between the nascent XY system and the origin of the multiple X1X2Y chromosomes. The lack of recognizable signals on the sex chromosomes after the reciprocal cross-FISH experiments highlighted that they evolved independently from non-homologous autosomal pairs. It is noteworthy that these distinct pathways occur inside the same nominal species, thus exposing the high plasticity of sex chromosome evolution in lower vertebrates. Possible mechanisms underlying this sex determination liability are also discussed.

Cross-species chromosome painting tracks the independent origin of multiple sex chromosomes in two cofamiliar Erythrinidae fishes

BackgroundThe Erythrinidae fish family is characterized by a large variation with respect to diploid chromosome numbers and sex-determining systems among its species, including two multiple X1X2Y sex systems in Hoplias malabaricus and Erythrinus erythrinus. At first, the occurrence of a same sex chromosome system within a family suggests that the sex chromosomes are correlated and originated from ancestral XY chromosomes that were either homomorphic or at an early stage of differentiation. To identify the origin and evolution of these X1X2Y sex chromosomes, we performed reciprocal cross-species FISH experiments with two sex-chromosome-specific probes designed from microdissected X1 and Y chromosomes of H. malabaricus and E. erythrinus, respectively.ResultsOur results yield valuable information regarding the origin and evolution of these sex chromosome systems. Our data indicate that these sex chromosomes evolved independently in these two closed related Erythrinidae species. Different autosomes were first converted into a poorly differentiated XY sex pair in each species, and additional chromosomal rearrangements produced both X1X2Y sex systems that are currently present.ConclusionsOur data provide new insights into the origin and evolution of sex chromosomes, which increases our knowledge about fish sex chromosome evolution.

A point mutation, R59G, within the HMG-SRY box in a female 45,X/46,X, psu dic(Y)(pter-->q11::q11-->pter).

Abstract. We report a molecular and cytogenetic investigation of a psu dic(Yp) chromosome identified in blood and ovarian tissue from a female with mosaic karyotype 45,X/46,X,+ psu dic(Yp). FISH analysis showed that the psu dic(Yp) has two copies of the short arm, two centromeres and two copies of the proximal long arm. PCR analysis also confirmed the presence of the SRY gene and the Y centromere, and also confirmed the deletion of the Y-heterochromatic region. Because of the possibility of a mutation, a fragment of 609xa0bp of the SRY gene was sequenced from independent PCR products. The analysis of the sequence indicated the presence of two different copies of the gene: one presented a point mutation, R59G, within the HMG-box; the other had a sequence identical to that already published. Both sequences were found at a proportion of 1:1. The absence of a 46,XY cell line suggests that the rearrangement took place during gametogenesis or during the first division after fertilization. Also, the existence of different sequences of the SRY gene in the same Y chromosome suggests that the formation of the dicentric took place prior to the mutation of the SRY gene. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a mutation has been described in codon 59 within the HMG-SRY box, and also the first case of a psu dic(Yp) chromosome that displays two different copies of the SRY gene.

Comparative Analysis by Chromosome Painting of the Sex Chromosomes in Arvicolid Rodents

Sex chromosome evolution in mammals has been extensively investigated through chromosome-painting analyses. In some rodent species from the subfamily Arvicolinae the sex chromosomes contain remarkable features such as giant size, a consequence of heterochromatic enlargement, or asynaptic behaviour during male meiosis. Here, we have made a comparative study of the sex chromosomes in 6 arvicolid species using different probes from the X and Y chromosomes of 3 species, in order to gain knowledge about intra- or interspecific preservation of euchromatic regions. Our results clearly reveal poor conservation of the euchromatic region of the Y chromosome within these species, while the euchromatin on the X chromosome is extremely well preserved. Furthermore, we detected no clear correlation between the synaptic/asynaptic behaviour of the sex chromosomes, and the presence or absence of sequence homology within their euchromatic regions. Notably, our study has shown a new relationship between the giant sex chromosomes of 2 species, Microtus agrestis and Microtus cabrerae, that is, both X and Y share a novel region of common sequences in the euchromatin that is not present in the other species analysed. This interspecific euchromatic conservation, limited to the giant sex chromosomes, could point towards a common evolutionary origin for the heterochromatic enlargement process that has characterized the evolution of the sex chromosomes in some arvicolid species.

Misregulation of mitotic chromosome segregation in a new type of autosomal recessive primary microcephaly

Primary autosomal recessive microcephaly (MCPH) is a congenital disorder characterized by a pronounced reduction of brain size and mental retardation. We present here a consanguineous Turkish family clinically diagnosed with MCPH and without linkage to any of the known loci (MCPH1-MCPH7). Autozygosity mapping identified a homozygous region of 15.8 Mb on chromosome 10q11.23-21.3, most likely representing a new locus for MCPH. Although we were unable to identify the underlying genetic defect after extensive molecular screening, we could delineate a possible molecular function in chromosome segregation by the characterization of mitosis in the patients’ cells. Analyses of chromosome nondisjunction in T-lymphocytes and fibroblasts revealed a significantly elevated rate of nondisjunction in the patients’ cells as compared to controls. Mitotic progression was further explored by immunofluorescence analyses of several chromosome and spindle associated proteins. We detected a remarkable alteration in the anaphase distribution of Aurora B and INCENP, which are key regulators of chromosome segregation. In particular, a fraction of both proteins remained abnormally loaded on chromosomes during anaphase in MCPH patients’ cells while in cells of normal control subjects both proteins are completely transferred to the spindle midzone. We did not observe any other alterations regarding cell cycle progression, chromosome structure, or response to DNA damage. Our observations point towards a molecular role of the underlying gene product in the regulation of anaphase/telophase progression possibly through interaction with chromosomal passenger proteins. In addition, our findings represent further evidence for the proposed role of MCPH genes in the regulation of mitotic progression.