Gene Finding on the Y: Fruitful Strategy in Drosophila does not Deliver in Anopheles

The Anopheles gambiae genome project yielded almost complete sequences for the autosomes and for a large part of the X chromosome, however, no information for the Y chromosome was obtained. Yet, by design, fragmented Y chromosome sequences should be present in the resulting assembly. Here we report the search for Anopheles Y chromosome genes using a strategy successfully applied for identification of Y genes in Drosophila. A complete set of the unmapped scaffolds was targeted in a broad TBLASTN search using both A. gambiae predicted genes and all proteins from nr database as query sequences. After filtering of the BLAST report, we selected 181 scaffolds possibly containing fragments of Y chromosome genes to experimentally test their Y-linkage. Surprisingly, none of the tested sequences appeared to originate from the Y chromosome. Several factors could account for the failure to detect Y genes, including their different organization in A. gambiae compared to Drosophila and the suboptimal quality of the assembly and annotation of the Anopheles genome. Regardless of the cause, our results illuminate problems associated with the genome analysis of outbred organisms.     

Common Mechanisms of Y Chromosome Evolution

Y chromosome evolution is characterized by the expansion of genetic inertness along the Y chromosome and changes in the chromosome structure, especially the tendency of becoming heterochromatic. It is generally assumed that the sex chromosome pair has developed from a pair of homologues. In an evolutionary process the proto-Y-chromosome, with a very short differential segment, develops in its final stage into a completely heterochromatic and to a great extends genetically eroded Y chromosome. The constraints evolving the Y chromosome have been the objects of speculation since the discovery of sex chromosomes. Several models have been suggested. We use the exceptional situation of the in Drosophila mirandato analyze the molecular process in progress involved in Y chromosome evolution. We suggest that the first steps in the switch from a euchromatic proto-Y-chromosome into a completely heterochromatic Y chromosome are driven by the accumulation of transposable elements, especially retrotransposons inserted along the evolving nonrecombining part of the Y chromosome. In this evolutionary process trapping and accumulation of retrotransposons on the proto-Y-chromosome should lead to conformational changes that are responsible for successive silencing of euchromatic genes, both intact or already mutated ones and eventually transform functionally euchromatic domains into genetically inert heterochromatin. Accumulation of further mutations, deletions, and duplications followed by the evolution and expansion of tandem repetitive sequence motifs of high copy number (satellite sequences) together with a few vital genes for male fertility will then represent the final state of the degenerated Y chromosome. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

辣椒雄性不育系SDH4基因的表达特性分析

为了探究线粒体电子传递复合体Ⅱ的关键酶基因(SDH4)与辣椒细胞质雄性不育的关系,该试验通过GenBank报道的辣椒线粒体基因组序列,特异引物扩增SDH4基因,并通过分析SDH4基因的时空表达及转录本编辑位点,以期找到辣椒细胞质雄性不育系9704A和保持系9704B的差异。结果表明:(1)从辣椒细胞质雄性不育系9704A和保持系9704B中获得的目的基因编码区片段长度一致,全长均为378bp,编码125个氨基酸残基。(2)辣椒保持系不同组织中SDH4基因表达存在差异,种子中表达最高,茎中表达最低。(3)在不同材料花蕾发育的同一时期,SDH4基因表达也不一致,在花粉母细胞减数分裂时期,不育系SDH4基因表达量明显低于保持系;而在造孢细胞增殖期、小孢子单核期和小孢子成熟期的表达量均高于保持系。(4)不育材料中SDH4基因在29位点出现RNA编辑,导致氨基酸由丝氨酸变为亮氨酸,增强了蛋白结构的疏水性能。研究认为,辣椒细胞质雄性不育系9704A和保持系9704B中SDH4基因的表达差异可能引起植物的能量代谢供应出现异常,从而导致雄性不育的产生。     

谷子雄性不育系1066A不育基因和黄苗基因的染色体定位

以谷子(Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.)雄性不育系1066A为母本,豫谷1号三体(1～7)及四体8和四体9作父本进行杂交,应用初级三体分析法,进行了谷子雄性不育基因和黄苗基因的染色体定位研究.通过配置大量杂交组合和反复授粉,利用豫谷1号三体的极少量花粉,获得了三体2～9的F1代杂种,各杂种三体的形态与豫谷1号三体基本相似,略有差异,苗色呈绿色且可育.杂种F2植株的苗色和育性都产生分离.结果是三体3、5、7、8、9的F2代分离出的可育株与不育株之比为3∶1,三体6的可育株与不育株之比为14∶1 (χ2=0.012,P=0.01).杂种F2分离出的绿苗与黄苗之比只有三体7为12∶1 (χ2=0.36, P=0.01),其他均为3∶1.因此,可以确定1066A的不育基因为隐性单基因,位于第6号染色体上,该品系的黄苗基因也是隐性单基因,位于第7号染色体上.     

谷子雄性不育系1066A不育基因和黄苗基因的染色体定位

以谷子（Setaria italica(L).Beauv.)雄性不育系1066A为母本,豫谷1号三体（1-7）及四体8和四体9作父本进行杂交,应用初极三体分析法,进行了谷子雄性不育基因和黄苗基因的染色体定位研究。通过配置大时杂交组合和反复授粉,利用豫谷1号三体的极少量花粉,获得了三体2-9的F1代杂种,各杂种三体的形态与豫谷1号三体基本个似,略有差异,苗色呈绿色且可育。杂种F2植株的育性都产生分离。结果是三体3、5、7、8、9的F2代分离出的可育株与不育标之比为3：1,三体6的可育株与不育株之比为14：1（x^2=0.012,p=0.01)。杂种F2分离出的绿苗与黄苗之比只有三体7为12：1（X^2=0.36,P=0.01),其他均为3:１。因此,可以确定1066A的不育基因为隐性单基因,位于第6号染色体上,该品系的黄苗基因也是隐性单基因,位于第7号染色体上。     

A strategy for mapping the heterochromatin of chromosome 2 of Drosophila melanogaster

The heterochromatin of chromosome 2 of Drosophila melanogaster has been among the best characterized models for functional studies of heterochromatin owing to its abundance of genetic markers. To determine whether it might also provide a favorable system for mapping extended regions of heterochromatin, we undertook a project to molecularly map the heterochromatin of the left arm of chromosome 2 (2Lh). In this paper, we describe a strategy that used clones and sequence information available from the Drosophila Genome Project and chromosome rearrangements to construct a map of the distal most portion of 2Lh. We also describe studies that used fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to examine the resolution of this technique for cytologically resolving heterochromatic sequences on mitotic chromosomes. We discuss how these mapping studies can be extended to more proximal regions of the heterochromatin to determine the structural patterns and physical dimensions of 2Lh and the relationship of structure to function.     

Molecular Aspects of Intron Evolution in Dynein Encoding Mega-Genes on The Heterochromatic Y Chromosome of Drosophila sp.

Fertility genes on the heterochromatic Y chromosome of various Drosophilaspecies are unique for several reasons. Most of them are megabase-sized. Their expression is restricted to premeiotic spermatocytes and often associated with unfolding of huge species-specific lampbrush loops. Molecular analysis of the orthologous dynein genes Dhc-Yh3, DhDhc7(Y)and DeDhc7(Y)on the Y chromosome of the three species D. melanogaster, D. hydeiand D. eohydei, respectively, revealed that the megabase gene size as well as the species-specific morphology of the corresponding lampbrush loops kl-5, Threadsand diffuse loopsresult from huge introns and their specific sequence composition, whereas the majority of all 20 introns in each of the three genes is in a size of 45–72 bp. The loop-specifying introns are extreme exceptions due to extended assemblies of degenerated transposable elements and/or large clusters of satellite DNAs. Here we use sequence information from the complete intron sets of three orthologous Y chromosomal dynein genes to deduce a scenario for an evolutionary pathway leading to the megabase-sized genes on the heterochromatic Y chromosome of Drosophila. The obvious bias between very small and species-specific mega introns is explained as the result of an autocatalytic mode of intron growth. An initial coincidental hit by a single transposable element extends the size of a 50 bp intron for about two orders of magnitude and determines it for preferential extension by similar insertion events. This phase of continuous moderate growth is followed by rapid size enlargements by repeating amplifications generating extended clusters of satellite DNA. Size control by recombination, on the other hand, is suppressed in Drosophilamales by achiasmatic meiosis. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Accumulation of Transposable Elements in the Heterochromatin and on the Y Chromosome of Drosophila simulans and Drosophila melanogaster

The elements of the transposon families G, copia, mdg 1, 412, and gypsy that are located in the heterochromatin and on the Y chromosome have been identified by the Southern blotting technique in Drosophila simulans and D. melanogaster populations. Within species, the abundance of such elements differs between transposon families. Between species, the abundance in the heterochromatin and on the Y chromosome of the elements of the same family can differ greatly suggesting that differences within a species are unrelated to structural features of elements. By shedding some new light on the mechanism of accumulation of transposable elements in the heterochromatin, these data appear relevant to the understanding of the long-term interaction between transposable elements and the host genome. Received: 8 August 1997 / Accepted: 11 December 1997     

Y Chromosome Gene Expression in the Blood of Male Patients With Ischemic Stroke Compared With Male Controls

BackgroundSex is suggested to be an important determinant of ischemic stroke risk factors, etiology, and outcome. However, the basis for this remains unclear. The Y chromosome is unique in males. Genes expressed in males on the Y chromosome that are associated with stroke may be important genetic contributors to the unique features of males with ischemic stroke, which would be helpful for explaining sex differences observed between men and women.ObjectiveWe compared Y chromosome gene expression in males with ischemic stroke and male controls.MethodsBlood samples were obtained from 40 male patients ≤3, 5, and 24 hours after ischemic stroke and from 41 male controls (July 2003–April 2007). RNA was isolated from blood and was processed using Affymetrix Human U133 Plus 2.0 expression arrays (Affymetrix Inc., Santa Clara, California). Y chromosome genes differentially expressed between male patients with stroke and male control subjects were identified using an ANCOVA adjusted for age and batch. A P < 0.05 and a fold change >1.2 were considered significant.ResultsSeven genes on the Y chromosome were differentially expressed in males with ischemic stroke compared with controls. Five of these genes (VAMP7, CSF2RA, SPRY3, DHRSX, and PLCXD1) are located on pseudoautosomal regions of the human Y chromosome. The other 2 genes (EIF1AY and DDX3Y) are located on the nonrecombining region of the human Y chromosome. The identified genes were associated with immunology, RNA metabolism, vesicle fusion, and angiogenesis.ConclusionsSpecific genes on the Y chromosome are differentially expressed in blood after ischemic stroke. These genes provide insight into potential molecular contributors to sex differences in ischemic stroke.     

Chromosome banding in the genusPinus

The chromosomes (2n=24) ofPinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. andP. thunbergii Parl. collected from several localities were analyzed on their fluorescent banding patterns by sequential staining with the base specifically binding fluorochromes, CMA and DAPI. In both species, the CMA-bands were localized at the proximal and/or interstitial regions of most of the chromosomes. The CMA-banding pattern was constant among the cells in a plant and was specific to respective species with a few variations. After the CMA and DAPI stainings each chromosome was identified individually. The fluorescent banding patterns of the two species were somewhat similar, but were diferent with respect to in some characters.Pinus thunbergii had two pairs of metacentric chromosomes without CMA-band and two pairs of metacentric chromosomes with an additional thin CMA-band at the interstitial region. The 10th and 11th pairs of chromosomes of both species, which showed similarity in interstitial CMA and DAPI banding and chromosome shape, had the proximal CMA-bands inP. densiflora and DAPI-band inP. thunbergii. The interspecific F₁ hybrid between the two species could easily be identified by the fluorescent banding method.     

Autosomal control of lampbrush-loop formation during spermatogenesis in Drosophila hydei by a gene also affecting somatic sex determination

Summary The Y chromosome of Drosophila hydei carries information that is necessary for the development of the spermatozoa. In primary spermatocytes Y chromosomal genes become active: five of the male fertility factors form giant lampbrush loops. Our prior work indicated interactions between the Y chromosomal genes and autosomal loci. It is of interest to identify loci regulating the activity of the Y chromosomal genes. We, therefore, screened a total of about 14,000 chromosomes (X, 2, 3 and 4) for mutations that interfere with the expression of the lampbrush loops. Two mutations with substantial effects on the loop morphology were recovered. One of them, a recessive male sterile mutation (ms (3) 5) on chromosome 3, is described in this paper. Its homozygous state results in a complete absence of all Y chromosomal lampbrush loops at 26° C; at 18° C the loops are formed. Temperature shifts with homozygous males indicate that the function early during the spermatogonial stage is crucial for the development of lampbrush loops in the primary spermatocyte. Meiosis is entirely absent in the male, but normal in females. Females homozygous for ms (3) 5 display a maternal effect, which reduces the viability and fertility of homozygous daughters and produces sons with signs of intersexuality. Linkage studies indicated that the effect on the male germ line and the maternal effects cannot be separated and may hence be induced by a single gene.     

辣椒雄性不育系葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶基因的克隆及表达分析

为了深入研究辣椒雄性不育与能量代谢之间的关系,该研究以辣椒近缘物种番茄的葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶基因(G6PDH)同源序列为基础,采用电子克隆的方法克隆出辣椒CaG6PDH基因。利用荧光定量PCR技术,对辣椒雄性不育系9704A与其保持系9704B花蕾发育的不同阶段,以及保持系9704B不同组织(茎、叶、花、果皮、胎座、种子)中CaG6PDH基因进行表达分析。结果表明:两系中获得的CaG6PDH基因的编码序列一致,全长1 533bp,编码510个氨基酸残基;辣椒CaG6PDH基因在保持系不同组织中表达量存在差异,胎座中表达量最高,茎中表达量最低;辣椒CaG6PDH基因的表达量在花蕾发育的不同阶段雄性不育系均高于保持系,此种差异在小孢子发育的单核期与成熟期尤为明显,这种差异可能使雄性不育系能量代谢供应出现异常,从而影响小孢子的正常发育而导致雄性败育。     

Chromosome numbers in the genus Lippia (Verbenaceae)

The genus Lippia (Verbenaceae) comprises about 200 taxa mainly distributed in Brazil, Mexico, Central America, Africa, Argentina and Paraguay. Some problems involving the number and delimitation of species have been reported. In order to contribute to the solving of these problems, the chromosome numbers of 14 Lippia species are documented. The following species were collected at Espinhaço Range, Southeast Brazil: Section Zapania (L. corymbosa, L. diamantinensis, L. hermannioides, L. lacunosa, L. rotundifolia, L. rubella), section Rhodolippia (L. florida, L. lupulina, L. pseudothea, L. rosella), section Goniostlachyum (L. glandulosa, L. pohliana, L. sidoides) and section Dioicolippia (L.filifolia). Immature inflorescences were collected and the ideal size for chromosome observation was determined. The majority of species have a haploid chromosome number from 10 to 14. Few species have a higher chromosome number, which suggests the occurrence of polyploidy. The relationships between chromosome numbers and the taxonomic sections are also discussed.     

Effects of Polycomb Group Mutations on the Expression of Ultrabithorax in the Drosophila Visceral Mesoderm

The Polycomb group (PcG) genes encode repressors of many developmental regulatory genes including homeotic genes and are known to act by modifying chromatin structure through complex formation. We describe how Ultrabithorax (Ubx) expression is affected by the PcG mutants in the visceral mesoderm. Mutant embryos of the genes extra sex combs (esc), Polycomb (Pc), additional sex combs (Asx) and pleiohomeotic (pho) were examined. In each mutation, Ubx was ectopically expressed outside of their normal domains along the anterior-posterior axis in the visceral mesoderm, which is consistent with the effect of PcG proteins repressing the homeotic genes in other tissues. All of these four PcG mutations exhibit complete or partial lack of midgut constriction. However, two thirds of esc mutant embryos did not show Ubx expression in parasegment 7 (PS7). Even in the embryos showing ectopic Ubx expression, the level of Ubx expression in the PcG mutations was weaker than that in normal embryos. We suggest that in PcG mutations the ectopic Ubx expression is caused by lack of PcG repressor proteins, while the weaker or lack of Ubx expression is due to the repression of Ubx by Abd-B protein which is ectopically expressed in PcG mutations as well.     

Chromosome Walking in the Petunia Inflata Self-Incompatibility (S-) Locus and Gene Identification in an 881-kb Contig Containing S 2 -RNase

Self-incompatibility (SI) in the Solanaceae, Rosaceae and Scrophulariaceae is controlled by the polymorphic S locus, which contains two separate genes encoding pollen and pistil determinants in SI interactions. The S-RNase gene encodes the pistil determinant, whereas the pollen determinant gene, named the pollen S gene, has not yet been identified. Here, we set out to construct an integrated genetic and physical map of the S locus of Petunia inflata and identify any additional genes located at this locus. We first conducted chromosome walking at the S2 locus using BAC clones that contained either S2-RNase or one of the nine markers tightly linked to the S locus. Ten separate contigs were constructed, which collectively spanned 4.4 Mb. To identify additional genes located at the S2 locus, a 328-kb region (part of an 881-kb BAC contig) containing S2-RNase was completely sequenced. Approximately 76% of the region contained repetitive sequences, including transposon-like sequences. Other than S2-RNase, an F-box gene, named PiSLF2 (S2-allele of P. inflata S-locus F-box gene), was the only predicted gene whose deduced amino acid sequence was similar to the sequences of known proteins in the database. Two different cDNA selection methods were used to identify additional genes in the 881-kb contig; 11 groups of cDNA clones were identified in addition to those for S2-RNase and PiSLF2. RT-PCR analysis of expression profiles and PCR analysis of BAC clones and genomic DNA confirmed that seven of these 11 newly identified genes were located in the 881-kb contig.