燕麦属细胞遗传学研究进展

整理燕麦属(Avena L.)细胞遗传学研究文献,总结相关研究进展。燕麦属有7组29种植物,分属5个基因组类型(A、C、AB、AC、ACD)。基于荧光原位杂交技术和种间杂交实验表明,A、C基因组染色体结构差异较大,A基因组二倍体物种具有等臂染色体,C基因组二倍体物种具有不等臂染色体。燕麦属植物D基因组和A基因组间分化程度较小,B基因组有可能是A基因组的变型——A′基因组。普遍观点认为A基因组二倍体物种可能是燕麦属六倍体物种母系亲本,砂燕麦(A.strigosa)为该属多倍体物种A基因组祖先的假说备受争议,有学者认为加那利燕麦(A.canariensis)可能是多倍体物种A或D基因组的供体。燕麦属多倍体物种基因组互换及染色体重排事件,增加燕麦属种间亲缘关系、多倍体物种基因组起源研究的困难。结合基因组学、分子细胞遗传学技术,有望为上述问题提供新证据。     

利用叶绿体基因探讨稻属BBCC基因组物种的系统起源

基于9个叶绿体基因片段(atpA、atpB、matK、petA、psaA、psbA、psbB、psbC和rbcL), 深入探讨了稻属(Oryza)3个BBCC基因组异源四倍体和5个与之相关的BB或CC基因组二倍体物种间的谱系关系。进一步的系统发育分析表明: 3个具有相同BBCC基因组的四倍体物种并非同一次物种形成事件的产物, 而是在不同的分布区经历了至少3次分别的物种起源。其中, 四倍体Oryza punctata的母本可能来自同样分布在非洲并具有CC基因组的二倍体物种O. eichingeri; 而四倍体O. malampuzhaensis和O. minuta的母本则可能来自亚洲已经灭绝的具有BB基因组的不同二倍体。研究结果不但为追溯稻属异源四倍体的复杂网状进化提供了重要的分子证据, 而且拓展了我们对有花植物复杂物种形成的深入理解。     

适应辐射类群穇属的系统学研究进展

综合花序拓扑学、比较形态学、分子系统发育、细胞遗传学等资料,对适应辐射类群穆属(Eleusine Gaertn.)的系统学研究进展进行了述评.穆属系统位置--Eleusiinae亚族成员得到分子系统发育证据的支持.该属具有3种花序类型、7个基因组类型、多倍体均由二倍体杂交起源、C4植物高度适应半湿润-半干旱镶嵌气候等特征.据可靠化石记载和现代地理分布推断,穆属很可能起源于东非,时间是晚中新世,而适应辐射则发生在上新世-中新世间隔.总的来说,分子系统发育、细胞遗传学、古地质、古气候数据的整合研究能够为穆属多倍体起源和谱系多样化历史提供令人信服的证据.     

雀形目高级阶元分类与起源研究概况

对雀肜目鸟类高级阶元的分类和系统发育的研究进行了简要概述.经典分类与应用分子生物学方法建立的分类系统在高级阶元(总科)有较大差异,但科级的分类基本一致.在雀形目鸟类起源研究方面,古生物学研究结果认为其起源于劳亚古陆;而分子生物学的证据则认为其起源于冈瓦纳古陆.由于化石的证据与"分子钟"的推测年代相差较大,因此对雀形目鸟类的起源还存在争议,但是目前的研究更倾向于"冈瓦纳起源"假说.     

多倍体银鲫克隆多样性和双重生殖方式的遗传基础和育种应用

单性物种一般是多倍体,且通过单性生殖方式如雌核生殖、杂种生殖或孤雌生殖繁殖.与其他单性和多倍体物种相比,银鲫具有更高的倍性,为六倍体.它经历了几轮连续的基因组多倍化,还经历了一次额外的、在较近年代发生的基因组复制事件.更为重要的是,银鲫已被证实同时存在雌核生殖和有性生殖双重生殖方式.本文综述了银鲫的多倍化起源、克隆多样性和双重生殖方式的遗传基础,概述了其新品种培育和有关其生殖与早期发育相关基因鉴定的研究进展.已有实验证据表明,银鲫正处于二倍化的进化轨道中.作为一个新的进化发育(Evo-Devo)生物学模型,重点论述了银鲫在重复基因的功能歧化和单性动物的有性起源和进化等方面的研究前景.     

小麦A，B和D基因组同源DNA序列在进化过程中的演变研究

选取已定位的大麦1H染色体的STS标记NWG913为引物,在普通小麦（Tritium aestivum L.）及其4个可能的起源种乌拉尔图小麦（T.urartu T.)、栽培一粒小麦（T.monococcum.L)栽培二粒小麦（T.dicoccum S.）、方穗山羊草（Ae.squarrosa L.)上特异性扩增。扩增产物克隆测序后对其进行序列分析,由序列差异的程度来确定这几个物种之间的亲缘关系。实验结果表明,普通小麦（Tritium aestivum L.)的A基因组此段序列与乌拉尔图小麦（T.urartu T.)、栽培一粒小麦（T.monococcum L.)、栽培二粒小麦（T.dicoccum S.)A基因组此段序列完全相同;普通小麦的D基因组此段序列与方穗山羊草（Ae.squarrosa L.)也完全相同;普通小麦的B基因组此段序列和栽培二粒小麦B基因组此段序列有0．61％的差异。研究结果一方面对现有的普通小麦A、B、D基因组起源和进化理论给予了分子水平上的证明,同时也揭示了同一物种不同的基因组化进化速度存在差异。     

脊椎动物基因组与基因复制研究进展

脊椎动物的出现是动物进化历史上一次质的飞跃.由于所有的脊椎动物在其胚胎发育中都呈现连续的解剖学特征,因此过去很多学者都根据现存脊椎动物的形态特征和在其发育过程中的解剖学特征假想原始脊椎动物,并推导其进化过程和起源.近年来的研究表明,通过对脊椎动物和与之亲缘关系接近的物种之间进行基因家族、染色体结构分析,可以对脊椎动物进化提供很多线索和证据.更多的研究表明,脊椎动物在进化过程中很可能发生过整体基因组的复制, 基因和/或基因组的复制可能是引起脊椎动物形体结构复杂性增加的根本原因.因此,基因和基因组的复制正在成为生物进化研究的热点问题.但这两种复制方式中哪一种是产生动物形体结构和功能复杂性增加最重要的原因尚有争论.     

PNAS：大规模基因重测序确认亚洲栽培稻起源于中国

美国研究人员在一项通过大规模基因重测序分析稻米进化史的研究中确认,亚洲栽培稻起源于中国,最早可能8000多年前就出现在中国长江流域。亚洲栽培稻是世界上最古老的农作物物种之一。此前曾有研究认为,亚洲栽培稻有两个起源地,印度和中国。但5月2日刊登在美国《国家科学院院刊》（PNAS）一项新研究说：”分子学证据表明（亚洲）栽培稻只有单一起源……最早出现在中国长江流域。”亚洲栽培稻具有籼稻和粳稻两个主要亚种,其起源相应也出现两种理论,其中一种为单一起源理论,即籼稻和粳稻均由野生稻栽培而来;     

垂穗披碱草与达乌里披碱草基因组细胞遗传学比较

采用顺序FISH-GISH技术,12个重复序列探针,包括9个三核苷酸简单重复序列、2个卫星DNA重复序列pSc119.2和pAs1以及5S rDNA,通过重复序列的物理定位对达乌里披碱草和垂穗披碱草基因组中部分重复序列的分布特征进行了比较分析,为进一步研究垂穗披碱草和达乌里披碱草的物种形成及演化提供新的分子细胞遗传学证据。结果表明:(1)所有的序列在这2个物种的染色体上都能产生可检测的杂交信号,且在2个物种中(AAC)_(10)、(ACT)_(10)、(CAT)_(10)都表现为共分布,(AAG)_(10)与(AGG)_(10)表现为近似共分布;2个物种的H基因组除5S rDNA序列外,其他序列都产生强烈且丰富的杂交位点,St与Y基因组不同重复序列探针的荧光位点数目有所差别,表现为5S rDNA、pSc119.2、(AAC)_(10)、(CAT)_(10)、(ACT)_(10)、(CAC)_(10)探针的信号位点较少或无信号,其余的探针信号位点稍多。(2)达乌里披碱草的第2对染色体上具有(AAC)_(10)、(CAT)_(10)、(ACT)_(10)的杂交位点、第6对染色体上具有(CAC)_(10)的杂交位点,而在垂穗披碱草的St基因组中未观察到上述序列杂交位点;达乌里披碱草St基因组仅有第4对染色体的端部具有pSc119.2杂交位点,而在垂穗披碱草St基因组中的pSc119.2杂交位点位于第5对染色体长臂的间隔区;相对于达乌里披碱草,垂穗披碱草St和Y基因组染色体含有更多的重复序列杂交位点。(3)达乌里披碱草的H/Y基因组间易位在不同材料间是稳定存在的,达乌里披碱草基因组相对稳定,不同材料间H基因组重复序列杂交信号多态性高于St和Y基因组;垂穗披碱草基因组的变异较大,不同材料间St和Y基因组重复序列杂交信号多态性高于H基因组。研究认为,垂穗披碱草和达乌里披碱草的H基因组均起源于布顿大麦,St基因组可能起源于不同的拟鹅观草属物种;与达乌里披碱草相比垂穗披碱草St与Y基因组可能具有更高的染色体结构变异性,而垂穗披碱草St与Y基因组变异较大的原因可能是与同区域分布的含StY基因组的物种发生了种间渗透杂交。     

扬子鳄的起源

介绍了现存鳄彼此间的亲缘关系、扬子鳄起源的时间和地点。主要结论可归纳如下：①现存鳄类在科、属、种分类上都存在不同意见;②扬子鳄与密河鳄被分在同一属内,但两者之间的亲缘关系存在争议,两者在形态、生化、细胞、分子生物学上差异很大;③Stell认为扬子鳄在中新世开始出现,作者认为它可能起源于渐新世或中新世早期;④Stell认为分布于北美的汤氏鳄（A.thomsoni)可能是扬子鳄的祖先类型,而另一些学者认为扬子鳄起源于亚洲的可能性更大些。     

A Century of B Chromosomes in Plants: So What?

BACKGROUND: Supernumerary B chromosomes (Bs) are a major source of intraspecific variation in nuclear DNA amounts in numerous species of plants. They favour large genomes, and create polymorphisms for DNA variation in natural populations. By studying Bs we can gain useful knowledge about the organization, function and evolution of genomes. There are also significant biological questions concerning the origin and structural organization of Bs, and the way in which these selfish elements can establish themselves by exploiting the replicative machinery of their host genome nucleus. SCOPE: It is a sine qua non that Bs originate from the A chromosomes, in a variety of ways. We can study their modes of drive and ask how it is that chromosomes which apparently lack genes can have control over their own drive process which leads to their survival in natural populations. Molecular cytogenetic studies are opening up new avenues of investigation. Population equilibria for B frequencies are determined by a balance between accumulation and harmful effects. Bs are also subject to meiotic loss due to polysomy and to elimination at meiosis as univalents. These balancing forces can be seen in the context of host/parasite interaction, based on a dissection of the genetic elements in both As and Bs (in maize) which interact to bring about a stable equilibrium, at least for a snapshot in time. CONCLUSIONS: Aside from their intrinsic enigmatic properties, B chromosomes make useful experimental tools to study genome organization. Thus far they have not been exploited for their applications, other than through the use of A-B translocations used for gene mapping in maize; but there are opportunities to use them to modulate the frequency and distribution of recombination, to diploidize allopolyploids, to study centromeres and to be developed as plant artificial chromosomes; given that they can be structurally modified and their inheritance stabilized.     

B chromosomes in plants

Abstract

B chromosomes (Bs) can be described as “selfish chromosomes”, a term that has been used for the repetitive DNA which comprises the bulk of the genome in large genome species, except that Bs have a life of their own as independent chromosomes. They can accumulate in number by various processes of mitotic or meiotic drive, especially in the gametophyte phase of the life cycle of flowering plants. This parasitic property of drive ensures their survival and spread in natural populations, even against a gradient of harmful effects on the host plant phenotype. B chromosomes are inhabitants of the nucleus and they are subject to control by “genes” in the A chromosome (As) complement. This interaction with the As, together with the balance between drive and harmful effects makes a dynamic system in the life of a Bs. In this review, we concentrate mainly on recent developments in the Bs of rye and maize, two of the species currently receiving most attention. We focus on their population dynamics and on the molecular basis of their structural organisation and mechanisms of drive, as well as on their mode of origin and potential applications in plant biotechnology.     

Chromosomes with a life of their own

B chromosomes (Bs) can be described as 'passengers in the genome', a term that has been used for the repetitive DNA which comprises the bulk of the genome in large genome species, except that Bs have a life of their own as independent chromosomes. As with retrotransposons they can accumulate in number, but in this case by various processes of mitotic or meiotic drive, based on their own autonomous ways of using spindles, especially in the gametophyte phase of the life cycle of flowering plants. This selfish property of drive ensures their survival and spread in natural populations, even against a gradient of harmful effects on the host plant phenotype. Bs are inhabitants of the nucleus and they are subject to control by 'genes' in the A chromosome (As) complement. This interaction with the As, together with the balance between drive and harmful effects makes a dynamic system in the life of a B chromosome, notwithstanding the fact that we are only now beginning to unravel the story in a few favoured species. In this review we concentrate mainly on recent developments in the Bs of rye and maize, two of the species currently receiving most attention. We focus on their population dynamics and on the molecular basis of their structural organisation and mechanisms of drive, as well as on their mode of origin and potential applications in plant biotechnology.     

B chromosomes in populations of mammals

B chromosomes (Bs) have been found in 55 out of 4629 living species of mammals. The summarized data show great variability in types of mammalian Bs, including differences in size, shape and molecular composition. This variability extends to the origin, mode of transmission and population dynamics. In general, B chromosomes in mammals do not differ from Bs found in other animal or plant species, but some peculiarities do exist. Most species in which Bs are found are widespread. Some data support the view that Bs may contribute to the successful expansion of some of these species, but it is possible that Bs are just more easily scored in them due to their frequent occurrence. Most of these species are also characterized by cycling fluctuations of abundance and characteristic social organization that produce conditions favorable for Bs to spread. All areas of research on Bs in mammals suffer from lack of data, emphasizing the necessity for intensified research on the molecular structure and ways of maintenance of Bs in populations.     

Nature and evolution of B chromosomes in plants: A non-coding but information-rich part of plant genomes

This work reviews recent advances providing insights on the origin and evolution of B chromosomes (Bs) in representative plant species. Brachyome dichromosomatica has large and micro Bs. Both carry an inactive ribosomal gene cluster. The large Bs contain the B-specific Bd49 family, mainly located at the centromere. Multiple copies are present in the A chromosomes (As) of related species, whereas only a few copies exist in B. dichromosomatica As. The micro Bs share sequences with the As, the large Bs and have the B-specific repeats Bdm29 and Bdm54. It seems that the large and micro Bs are related in origin. It is very unlikely that the Bs originated by simple excision from the As. Rye Bs are composed of sequences predominantly shared with the As. B-specific sequences are located at the heterochromatic end of the long arm. Probably, they originated from the As after many rearrangements, with a tendency for duplication. The E3900 family derives from a Ty3 gypsy retrotransposon, but the D1100 family shows no evidence of genic origin. The overall composition of maize As and Bs is similar suggesting a common origin. Several B-specific sequences have been found, the most studied being pZmBs, which is located at the B centromere. It shows partial homology to the centromere of chromosome 4 and to the knobs. It is not known whether the B centromere derives from centromere 4, or whether both have a more distant common origin. The dynamics of Bs in populations depends on their non-Mendelian mechanisms of transmission, their effects on carrier fitness and on A genes modulating their parasitic properties. Three representative examples are reviewed. The Bs of Allium schoenoprassum are transmitted at a mean lower than Mendelian and adversely affect vigour and fertility. However, there is a differential selection operating in favour of B-containing seedlings. Rye Bs undergo strong drive, which is counteracted by harmful effects on fertility and instabilities at meiosis. Both nondisjunction and meiotic behaviour, and consequently the establishment of B polymorphisms, mainly depend on the Bs themselves. B nondisjunction in maize is controlled by the B, but the As control preferential fertilisation. Considering the non-equilibrium model, the Bs of Allium seem to have been neutralised by the A genome, the As of maize provide defence against B attack, whereas the Bs of rye are only slightly neutralized.     

The B chromosomes in Brachycome

This review presents a historical account of studies of B chromosomes in the genus Brachycome Cass. (synonym: Brachyscome) from the earliest cytological investigations carried out in the late 1960s though to the most recent molecular analyses. Molecular analyses provide insights into the origin and evolution of the B chromosomes (Bs) of Brachycome dichromosomatica, a species which has Bs of two different sizes. The larger Bs are somatically stable whereas the smaller, or micro, Bs are somatically unstable. Both B types contain clusters of ribosomal RNA genes that have been shown unequivocally to be inactive in the case of the larger Bs. The large Bs carry a family of tandem repeat sequences (Bd49) that are located mainly at the centromere. Multiple copies of sequences related to this repeat are present on the A chromosomes (As) of related species, whereas only a few copies exist in the A chromosomes of B. dichromosomatica. The micro Bs share DNA sequences with the As and the larger Bs, and they also have B-specific repeats (Bdm29 and Bdm54). In some cases repeat sequences on the micro Bs have been shown to occur as clusters on the A chromosomes in a proportion of individuals within a population. It is clear that none of these B types originated by simple excision of segments from the A chromosomes.     

The distribution of B chromosomes across species

In this review we look at the broad picture of how B chromosomes are distributed across a wide range of species. We review recent studies of the factors associated with the presence of Bs across species, and provide new analyses with updated data and additional variables. The major obstacle facing comparative studies of B chromosome distribution is variation among species in the intensity of cytogenetic study. Because Bs are, by definition, not present in all individuals of a species, they may often be overlooked in species that are rarely studied. We give examples of corrections for differences in study effort, and show that after a variety of such corrections, strong correlations remain. Several major biological factors are associated with the presence of B chromosomes. Among flowering plants, Bs are more likely to occur in outcrossing than in inbred species, and their presence is also positively correlated with genome size and negatively with chromosome number. They are no more frequent in polyploids than in diploids, nor in species with multiple ploidies. Among mammals, Bs are more likely to occur in species with karyotypes consisting of mostly acrocentric chromosomes. We find no evidence for an association with chromosome number or genome size in mammals, although the sample for genome size is small. The associations with breeding system and acrocentric chromosomes were both predicted in advance, but those with genome size and chromosome number were discovered empirically and we can offer only tentative explanations for the very strong associations we have uncovered. Our understanding of why B chromosomes are present in some species and absent in others is still in its infancy, and we suggest several potential avenues for future research.     

B chromosomes and genome size in flowering plants.

B chromosomes are extra chromosomes found in some, but not all, individuals within a species, often maintained by giving themselves an advantage in transmission, i.e. they drive. Here we show that the presence of B chromosomes correlates to and varies strongly and positively with total genome size (excluding the Bs and corrected for ploidy) both at a global level and via a comparison of independent taxonomic contrasts. B chromosomes are largely absent from species with small genomes; however, species with large genomes are studied more frequently than species with small genomes and Bs are more likely to be reported in well-studied species. We controlled for intensity of study using logistic regression. This regression analysis also included effects of degree of outbreeding, which is positively associated with Bs and genome size, and chromosome number, which is negatively associated with Bs and genome size, as well as variable ploidy (more than one ploidy level in a species). Genome size, breeding system and chromosome number all contribute independently to the distribution of B chromosomes, while variable ploidy does not have a significant effect. The genome size correlates are consistent with reduced selection against extra DNA in species with large genomes and with increased generation of B sequences from large A genomes.     

On the Origin and Evolution of the Extant System of B Chromosomes in Oryzomyini Radiation (Rodentia,Sigmodontinae)

Heterogeneous supernumerary chromosomes (Bs) are recognized in the oryzomyines Holochilus brasiliensis, Nectomys rattus, N. squamipes, Oligoryzomys flavescens and Sooretamys angouya, representing about 10% of all known B-containing rodent species. They provide an outstanding model for understanding the origin, evolution and diversity of Bs in a phylogenetic context. Therefore, whole chromosome-specific probes were generated from flow-sorted Holochilus brasiliensis (HBR) autosomes 11 and 25+26 and chromosomes X, Y and Bs. Hybridizations were performed on male metaphases of 15 Oryzomyini species of which 3 are B-containing species. The results reveal that among the species sampled, 12 of them, belonging to a monophyletic Oryzomiyini subclade, are positive for an anonymous Oryzomyini shared heterochromatic region (OSHR) on both sex chromosomes. The OSHR is also present on Bs of Holochilus brasiliensis, Nectomys rattus and N. squamipes but not on Bs of O. flavescens and S. angouya. Two distinct additional OSHR/autosome associations are observed on S. angouya. The three species that are OSHR negative belong to an outgroup. Molecular dating suggests that the OSHR originated between 7.8 and 3 Mya on ancestral sex chromosomes. A tentative explanation for the OSHR-positive nature of B regions in three species could be that transposable elements (TEs) from this specific sex chromosome region may have invaded existing B chromosomes. The presence of the OSHR on entire Xp and Yp adjacent to interstitial telomeric sequences at pericentromeric positions, as observed in Drymoreomys albimaculatus, show a similar organization as on B chromosomes in Nectomys squamipes. The diversity of the Oryzomyini Bs in number, size, morphology and genetic content may be explained by the independent origin of B chromosomes in different subgroups of species, with Bs in Holochilus brasiliensis, Nectomys squamipes and N. rattus sharing the OSHR with sex chromosomes, and those in Oligoryzomys flavescens and Sooretamys angouya lacking OSHR in Bs. The species-specific pattern of Bs is probably a consequence of their independent evolutionary origin.