Recombination occurs uniformly within the bronze gene, a meiotic recombination hotspot in the maize genome.

The bronze (bz) gene is a recombinational hotspot in the maize genome: its level of meiotic recombination per unit of physical length is > 100-fold higher than the genome's average and is the highest of any plant gene analyzed to date. Here, we examine whether recombination is also unevenly distributed within the bz gene. In yeast genes, recombination (conversion) is polarized, being higher at the end of the gene where recombination is presumably initiated. We have analyzed products of meiotic recombination between heteroallelic pairs of bz mutations in both the presence and absence of heterologies and have sequenced the recombination junction in 130 such Bz intragenic recombinants. We have found that in the absence of heterologies, recombination is proportional to physical distance across the bz gene. The simplest interpretation for this lack of polarity is that recombination is initiated randomly within the gene. Insertion mutations affect the frequency and distribution of intragenic recombination events at bz, creating hotspots and coldspots. Single base pair heterologies also affect recombination, with fewer recombination events than expected by chance occurring in regions of the bz gene with a high density of heterologies. We also provide evidence that meiotic recombination in maize is conservative, that is, it does not introduce changes, and that meiotic conversion tracts are continuous and similar in size to those in yeast.     

The Mutation Bronze-Mutable 4 Derivative 6856 in Maize Is Caused by the Insertion of a Novel 6.7-Kilobase Pair Transposon in the Untranslated Leader Region of the Bronze-1 Gene

The Ds-controlled allele, bz-m4 Derivative 6856 [bz-m4 D6856], is reported to have an altered temporal- and tissue-specific pattern of gene expression. We have cloned this allele and have characterized it at the molecular level. The mutation was caused by the insertion of a complex transposon-like structure 36 base pairs downstream from the Bz mRNA cap site. The insert is 6.7-kbp long. Ds elements, each approximately 2 kbp in length, are at both ends of the insert. The sequence between the Ds elements is a partial duplication of flanking sequences from the 3' end of the Bz gene. These data suggest that Ds initially inserted near the 3' end of the gene and mobilized adjacent sequences as it transposed.     

花青素合成基因bz1和bz2在莲藕染色体上的定位

Bronze 1(bz1)是编码UDP葡萄糖类黄酮葡糖基转移酶(UFGT)的基因,UFGT是种子糊粉层中的花青素生物合成酶。Bronze 2(bz2)是另一种花青素生物合成基因,与类黄酮的酰化、糖基化、转运、沉积等有关。以生物素标记的重组质粒pUC19中含有玉米bz1和bz2基因作为探针,与莲藕(Nelumbo nucifera L．)的有丝分裂染色体标本进行荧光原位杂交(fluorescence in situ hybridization,FISH)。结果显示,bz1和bz2基因分别位于莲藕的第2和第4号染色体长臂上,与着丝粒的相对距离分别为79％和67％。这是首次提供莲藕染色体上的FISH杂交信息,从而为增加莲藕染色体组中的遗传标记和建立遗传图谱奠定基础。     

Cloning of the Bz2 locus of Zea mays using the transposable element Ds as a gene tag

Summary The Bz2 locus of Zea mays has been cloned, utilizing the presence of the transposable element Dissociation (Ds) at the locus as a gene tag. The Ds element inserted in the bz2-m allele was identified among many members of the Ac/Ds family in a Southern blot analysis of a population segregating for bz2-m and Bz2. After cloning a DNA fragment from the bz2-m allele, sequences flanking the Ds insertion were shown to be Bz2-specific and were used to isolate a homologous fragment from a wild-type Bz2 line. The Ds insertion in the bz2-m allele was found to be a Ds2 element identical to the Ds insertion in adh1-2F11.     

Maize genome structure variation: interplay between retrotransposon polymorphisms and genic recombination

Although maize (Zea mays) retrotransposons are recombinationally inert, the highly polymorphic structure of maize haplotypes raises questions regarding the local effect of intergenic retrotransposons on recombination. To examine this effect, we compared recombination in the same genetic interval with and without a large retrotransposon cluster. We used three different bz1 locus haplotypes, McC, B73, and W22, in the same genetic background. We analyzed recombination between the bz1 and stc1 markers in heterozygotes that differ by the presence and absence of a 26-kb intergenic retrotransposon cluster. To facilitate the genetic screen, we used Ds and Ac markers that allowed us to identify recombinants by their seed pigmentation. We sequenced 239 recombination junctions and assigned them to a single nucleotide polymorphism-delimited interval in the region. The genetic distance between the markers was twofold smaller in the presence of the retrotransposon cluster. The reduction was seen in bz1 and stc1, but no recombination occurred in the highly polymorphic intergenic region of either heterozygote. Recombination within genes shuffled flanking retrotransposon clusters, creating new chimeric haplotypes and either contracting or expanding the physical distance between markers. Our findings imply that haplotype structure will profoundly affect the correlation between genetic and physical distance for the same interval in maize.     

Transposition Pattern of the Maize Element Ac from the Bz-M2(ac) Allele

The pattern of transposition of Ac from the mutable allele bz-m2(Ac) has been investigated. Stable (bz-s) and finely spotted (bz-m(F)) exceptions were selected from coarsely spotted bz-m2(Ac) ears. The presence or absence of a transposed Ac (trAc) in the genome was determined and, when present, the location of the trAc was mapped relative to the flanking markers sh and wx. The salient general features of Ac transposition to sites linked to bz are that the receptor sites tend to be clustered on either side of the bz donor site and that transposition is bidirectional and nonpolar. Thus, the symmetrical clustering in the distribution of receptor sites adjacent to bz differs from the asymmetrical clustering reported in 1984 for the P locus by I. M. GREENBLATT. Though Ac tends to transpose preferentially to closely linked sites, an appreciable fraction of Ac transpositions from bz-m2(Ac) is to unlinked sites: 41% among bz-s derivatives and 59% among bz-m(F) derivatives. Many transposition events among the bz-m(F) selections result in kernels carrying a genetically noncorresponding embryo. These can be interpreted as twin sectors arising at one of the megagametophytic mitoses. The bz locus data fit the earlier (1962) model of I. M. GREENBLATT and R. A. BRINK in which transposition takes place from a replicated donor site to either an unreplicated or replicated receptor site.     

Characterization of an spm-controlled bronze-mutable allele in maize

The association of a receptor (Rs) of the Spm system with a Bz-1 allele has created a two-element Spm-controlled bz-mutable allele (bz-m13) of maize (Zea mays L.). In the absence of Spm, one copy of bz-m13 (bz/bz/bz-m13 ) conditions full anthocyanin production in the aleurone layer of the seed. In the presence of this Spm, bz-m13 produces a unique, coarsely variegated seed phenotype and has a high rate (50–83%) of gametic change to stable bz' or Bz' derivatives. Even one copy of a Bz' derivative allele conditions full anthocyanin production in the aleurone, but the enzyme (UFGT) level of the progenitor Bz-1 allele is not restored in most Bz' derivatives.     

Unstable mutants of bronze induced by pre-meiotic X-ray treatment in maize

Summary A study was made of the effects of pre-meiotic x-irradiation on the bronze locus in chromosome 9 of maize. Plants of Sh Bz Wx/Sh Bz Wx constitution were treated with ca. 1000r and pollen from these individuals was applied to silks of sh bz wx tester plants. In the F₁ progeny, three Sh Wx kernels having a bz aleurone or showing Bz-bz variegation (the bz-x3, bz-x4 and bz-x5 mutants) were selected as possible mutations at the bz locus. One kernel of sh bz wx phenotype as well as one exhibiting sh, bz and Wx (sh-bz-x3) were also selected for more intensive study. Progeny tests of the sh bz wx individual along with cytological observations indicated that a ring chromosome was the probable cause of the mutant phenotype although an alternative hypothesis is not ruled out. The behavior of sh-bz-x3 can be interpreted as the result of either a minute deficiency involving the Sh and Bz loci or a simultaneous suppression of the two dominant alleles. Progeny of the bz-x mutants exhibited genetic instability of bronze. It is hypothesized that this behavior is due to the activation or alteration by x-rays of gene control mechanisms which affect the bronze gene.Dedicated with appreciation and affection to Dr. M. M. Rhoades on the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

Cloning and characterization of DST2, the gene for DNA strand transfer protein beta from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The gene encoding the 180-kDa DNA strand transfer protein beta from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was identified and sequenced. This gene, DST2 (DNA strand transferase 2), was located on chromosome VII. dst2 gene disruption mutants exhibited temperature-sensitive sporulation and a 50% longer generation time during vegetative growth than did the wild type. Spontaneous mitotic recombination in the mutants was reduced severalfold for both intrachromosomal recombination and intragenic gene conversion. The mutants also had reduced levels of the intragenic recombination that is induced during meiosis. Meiotic recombinants were, however, somewhat unstable in the mutants, with a decrease in recombinants and survival upon prolonged incubation in sporulation media. spo13 or spo13 rad50 mutations did not relieve the sporulation defect of dst2 mutations. A dst1 dst2 double mutant has the same phenotype as a dst2 single mutant. All phenotypes associated with the dst2 mutations could be complemented by a plasmid containing DST2.     

Studying recombination in heterozygous tandem duplications in Escherichia coli

Our previous data showed that the principal pathway of the formation of selected recombinants in Escherichia coli strains carrying heterozygous tandem duplications is unequal crossing over between sister chromosomes. Data presented in this work showed that when DNA homology is not disturbed (due to transposon insertion), intragenic recombinants can occur directly in the region of recombination through intrachromomal exchange as well.     

The effect of three rad genes on survival, inter- and intragenic mitotic recombination in Saccharomyces. I. UV irradiation without photoreactivation or liquid-holding post-treatment

The effect of UV irradiation on the survival, inter- and intragenic mitotic recombination of 3 diploid UV sensitive Saccharomyces mutants was studied and compared with the wild type RAD. These strains, homozygous for either the RAD, r1s rad 9-4, or rad 2-20 gene, have DRF values for survival of 1:1.6:3:20.6 respectively, at LD1. Their recombination behaviour is not correlated to their survival characteristics. The RAD, r1s, and rad 2-20 strains showed UV induced mitotic inter- and intragenic recombinants; the induction in the r1s diploid is ca. 100 times greater for both the inter- and intragenic recombinants than in the RAD strain. The rad 9-4 diploid produced no UV induced mitotic recombinants whatsoever, and is therefore considered to be a rec- mutation.