Unusual and Strongly Structured Sequence Variation in a Complex Satellite DNA Family from the Nematode Meloidogyne chitwoodi

An AluI satellite DNA family has been isolated in the genome of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne chitwoodi. This repeated sequence was shown to be present at approximately 11,400 copies per haploid genome, and represents about 3.5% of the total genomic DNA. Nineteen monomers were cloned and sequenced. Their length ranged from 142 to 180 bp, and their A + T content was high (from 65.7 to 79.1%), with frequent runs of As and Ts. An unexpected heterogeneity in primary structure was observed between monomers, and multiple alignment analysis showed that the 19 repeats could be unambiguously clustered in six subfamilies. A consensus sequence has been deduced for each subfamily, within which the number of positions conserved is very high, ranging from 86.7% to 98.6%. Even though blocks of conserved regions could be observed, multiple alignment of the six consensus sequences did not enable the establishment of a general unambiguous consensus sequence. Screening of the six consensus sequences for evidence of internal repeated subunits revealed a 6-bp motif (AAATTT), present in both direct and inverted orientation. This motif was found up to nine times in the consensus sequences, also with the occurrence of degenerated subrepeats. Along with the meiotic parthenogenetic mode of reproduction of this nematode, such structural features may argue for the evolution of this satellite DNA family either (1) from a common ancestral sequence by amplification followed by mechanisms of sequence divergence, or (2) through independent mutations of the ancestral sequence in isolated amphimictic nematode populations and subsequent hybridization events. Overall, our results suggest the ancient origin of this satellite DNA family, and may reflect for M. chitwoodi a phylogenetic position close to the ancestral amphimictic forms of root-knot nematodes. Received: 23 April 1997 / Accepted: 9 July 1997