A Sex Chromosomal Restriction-Fragment-Length Marker Linked to Melanoma-Determining Tu Loci in Xiphophorus

In Xiphophorus, the causative genetic information for melanoma formation has been assigned by classical genetics to chromosomal loci, which are located on the sex chromosomes. In our attempts to molecularly clone these melanoma-determining loci, named Tu, we have looked for restriction-fragment-length markers (RFLMs) linked to the Tu loci. These RFLMs should be useful in obtaining a physical map of a Tu locus, which will aid in the cloning of the corresponding sequences. DNA samples from various Xiphophorus strains and hybrids including those bearing different Tu wild-type, deletion and translocation chromosomes, were screened for the presence of random RFLMs using homologous or heterologous sequences as hybridization probes. We find an EcoRI restriction fragment which shows limited crosshybridization to the v-erb B gene--but not representing the authentic c-erb B gene of Xiphophorus--to be polymorphic with respect to different sex chromosomes. Linkage analysis revealed that a 5-kb fragment is linked to the Tu-Sd locus on the X chromosome, a 7-kb fragment is linked to the Tu-Sr locus on the Y chromosome, both of Xiphophorus maculatus, and that a 12-kb fragment is linked to the Tu-Li locus on the X chromosome of Xiphophorus variatus. Using different chromosomal mutants this RFLM has been mapped to a frequent deletion/translocation breakpoint of the X chromosome, less than 0.3 cM apart from the Tu locus.     

Cloning and gene map assignment of the Xiphophorus DNA ligase 1 gene

Fishes represent the stem vertebrate condition and have maintained several gene arrangements common to mammalian genomes throughout the 450 Myr of divergence from a common ancestor. One such syntenic arrangement includes the GPI-PEPD enzyme association on Xiphophorus linkage group IV and human chromosome 19. Previously we assigned the Xiphophorus homologue of the human ERCC2 gene to linkage group U5 in tight association with the CKM locus. CKM is also tightly linked to the ERCC2 locus on human chromosome 19, leading to speculation that human chromosome 19 may have arisen by fusion of two ancestral linkage groups which have been maintained in fishes. To investigate this hypothesis further, we isolated and sequenced Xiphophorus fish genomic regions exhibiting considerable sequence similarity to the human DNA ligase 1 amino acid sequence. Comparison of the fish DNA ligase sequence with those of other species suggests several modes of amino acid conservation in this gene. A 2.2-kb restriction fragment containing part of an X. maculatus DNA ligase 1 exon was used in backcross hybrid mapping with 12 enzyme or RFLP loci. Significant linkage was observed between the nucleoside phosphorylase (NP2) and the DNA ligase (LIG1) loci on Xiphophorus linkage group VI. This assignment suggests that the association of four DNA repair-related genes on human chromosome 19 may be the result of chance chromosomal rearrangements.      

Contributions of the Gordon-Kosswig melanoma system to the present concept of neoplasia

Modern cancerology is based on the oncogene concept. This is rather new. The idea of the oncogene, however, is old, and can be traced back to two sources, namely to "cancer families," reported in 1866 by P. Broka, and to "virus induced" neoplasia, detected by P. Rous in 1911. A gene which is--to my knowledge--the first reported oncogene by definition was detected in the little ornamental Mexican fish Xiphophorus by Myron Gordon, Curt Kosswig, and Georg H?ussler in 1928 when they observed the terrible hereditary melanomas that we are now coming to understand and to compare with other kinds of neoplasms in Xiphophorus and in mammals, including humans. Although the Xiphophorus model was always modest in its claims, it has--sometimes too early in its history--contributed many facts to the present concept of neoplasia.     

The Xmrk oncogene can escape nonfunctionalization in a highly unstable subtelomeric region of the genome of the fish Xiphophorus

The Xmrk oncogene involved in melanoma formation in the fish Xiphophorus was formed relatively recently by duplication of the epidermal growth factor co-orthologue egfrb. In the platyfish X. maculatus, Xmrk is located close to the major sex-determining locus in a subtelomeric region of the X and Y sex chromosomes that frequently undergoes duplications and other rearrangements. This region accumulates repetitive sequences: more than 80% of the 33-kb region 3' of Xmrk is constituted by retrotransposable elements. The high degree of nucleotide identity between X- and Y-linked sequences and the rarity of gonosome-specific rearrangements indicated that the instability observed was not a manifestation of gonosome-specific degeneration. Seven other duplicated genes were found, all corresponding, in contrast to Xmrk, to pseudogenes (nonfunctionalization). Functional persistence of Xmrk in a highly unstable region in divergent Xiphophorus species suggests a beneficial function under certain conditions for this dispensable and potentially injurious gene.     

Six loci mapped on to human chromosome 2p are assigned to sheep chromosome 3p

Six loci, apoliproprotein B (including Ag(x) antigen), immunoglobulin kappa constant region (IGKC), luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotrophin receptor, avian myelocytomatosis viral related oncogene, neuroblastoma derived, ornithine decarboxylase, and proopiomelanocortin (adrenocorticotropin/beta-lipotropin) (POMC), were newly assigned to sheep chromosome 3p using a chromosomally characterized minipanel of sheep-hamster cell hybrids. Isotopic in situ hybridization of IGKC to sheep chromosome 3p22–p17 is reported, confirming the cell hybrid assignment. As these loci are all known to map to human chromosome 2p, this study demonstrates that this chromosomal segment is extensively conserved in sheep. Only POMC has been previously assigned to cattle chromosome 11, which is the equivalent of sheep chromosome 3p. Therefore, we predict that the other loci assigned in this study to sheep 3p are likely to be located on cattle 11. The provisional assignment of an additional locus, annexin-like to sheep chromosome 3p is also reported.     

Mapping and disruption of the chpB locus in Escherichia coli.

The chpB locus is a chromosomal homolog of the pem locus, which is responsible for stable maintenance of plasmid R100 within the host cells. Like pem, chpB codes for two genes, chpBK and chpBI, encoding a growth inhibitor and a suppressor for the killing action of the ChpBK protein, respectively. Here, we determined the precise location of the chpB locus, which is linked to ileR and ppa in the order ileR-chpB-ppa, at 95.7 min on the map of Escherichia coli. We then constructed mutants with an insertion of a (cat) fragment within chpBK or chpBI on the E. coli chromosome. These mutants grew normally, indicating that chpB is dispensable for cell growth.     

Identification of an 85-kb DNA fragment containing pms1, a locus for photoperiod-sensitive genic male sterility in rice

Photoperiod-sensitive genic male-sterile rice has a number of desirable characteristics for hybrid rice production. Previous studies identified pms1, located on chromosome 7, as a major locus for photoperiod-sensitive genic male sterility. The objective of this study was to localize the pms1 locus to a specific DNA fragment by genetic and physical mapping. Using 240 highly sterile individuals and a random sample of 599 individuals from an F2 population of over 5000 individuals from a cross between Minghui 63 and 32001S, we localized the pms1 locus by molecular marker analysis to a genetic interval of about 4 cM, 0.25 cM from RG477 on one side and 3.8 cM from R1807 on the other side. A contig map composed of seven BAC clones spanning approximate 500 kb in length was constructed for the pms1 region by screening a BAC library of Minghui 63 DNA using RFLP markers and chromosomal walking. Analysis of recombination events in the pms1 region among the highly sterile individuals reduced the length of the contig map to three BAC clones. Sequencing of one BAC clone, 2109, identified two SSR markers located 85 kb apart in the clone that flanked the pms1 locus on both sides, as indicated by the distribution of recombination events. We thus concluded that the pms1 locus was located on the fragment bounded by the two SSR markers.     

Evidence for the close linkage between lymphocyte cytosol polypeptide with molecular weight of 64,000 (LCP1) and esterase D.

The genetic linkage of the loci for lymphocyte cytosol polypeptide with molecular weight of 64,000 (LCP1) and esterase (ESD) were examined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis using blood from four informative families. No recombinants were observed in the four families totaling 17 children, giving a summed lod score of 4.221 at recombination fraction 0. This result indicates that the gene for LCP1 is closely linked to the ESD locus, which is assigned to the chromosomal region 13q14.11. This finding also suggests that the LCP1 locus is linked to the retinoblastoma gene, which is assigned to the same chromosomal region and closely linked to the ESD locus.     

Further refinement of the location for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa on chromosome 7p (RP9).

A form of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) mapping to chromosome 7p was recently reported by this laboratory, in a single large family from southeastern England. Further sampling of the family and the use a number of genetic markers from 7p have facilitated the construction of a series of multipoint linkage maps of the region with the most likely disease gene location. From this and haplotype data, the locus can now be placed between the markers D7S484 and D7S526, in an interval estimated to be 1.6-4 cM. Genetic distances between the markers previously reported to be linked to this region and those described in the recent whole-genome poly-CA map were estimated from data in this and other families. These data should assist in the construction of a physical map of the region and will help to identify candidate genes for the 7p adRP locus.     

Construction and initial analysis of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) contigs from the sex-determining region of the platyfish Xiphophorus maculatus

Despite the major importance of sex determination in aquaculture, no master sex-determining gene has been identified so far in teleost fish. In the platyfish Xiphophorus maculatus, this master gene is flanked by two receptor tyrosine kinase genes, the Xmrk oncogene responsible for melanoma formation in some Xiphophorus interspecific hybrids, and its proto-oncogenic counterpart. Both Xmrk genes, which have already been characterised at the molecular level, delimit a region of about 1 Mb that contains other gene loci involved in sexual maturity, pigmentation and melanoma formation. We have constructed a genomic bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library of X. maculatus with a tenfold coverage of the haploid genome and walked on both X and Y sex chromosomes starting from both Xmrk genes. This led to the assembly of BAC contigs from the sex-determining region covering approximately 950 kb of the X and 750 kb of the Y chromosome. To our knowledge, these are the largest contigs reported so far for sex chromosomes in fish. Molecular analysis suggests that the sex-determining region of X. maculatus frequently undergoes retrotranspositions and other kinds of rearrangements. This genomic plasticity might be related to the high genetic variability observed in Xiphophorus for sex determination, sexual maturity, pigmentation and melanoma formation, which are encoded by gene loci located in the sex-determining region.     

Physical map of the wheat high-grain protein content gene Gpc-B1 and development of a high-throughput molecular marker

Grain protein content (GPC) is important for human nutrition and has a strong influence on pasta and bread quality. A quantitative trait locus, derived from a Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides accession (DIC), with an average increase in GPC of 14 g kg(-1) was mapped on chromosome 6BS. Using the wheat-rice colinearity, a high-density map of the wheat region was developed and the quantitative trait locus was mapped as a simple Mendelian locus designated Gpc-B1. A physical map of approx. 250 kb of the Gpc-B1 region was developed using a tetraploid wheat bacterial artificial chromosome library. The constructed physical map included the two Gpc-B1 flanking markers and one potential candidate gene from the colinear rice region completely linked to Gpc-B1. The relationship between physical and genetic distances and the feasibility of isolating genes by positional cloning in wheat are discussed. A high-throughput codominant marker, Xuhw89, was developed. A 4-bp deletion present in the DIC allele was absent in a collection of 117 cultivated tetraploid and hexaploid wheat germplasm, suggesting that this marker will be useful to incorporate the high GPC allele from the DIC accession studied here into commercial wheat varieties.     

Comparative mapping reveals partial conservation of synteny at the apomixis locus in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Paspalum</Emphasis> spp<Emphasis Type="Italic">.</Emphasis>

In plants, gametophytic apomixis is a form of asexual reproduction that leads to the formation of seed-derived offspring that are genetically identical to the mother plant. A common set of RFLP markers, including five rice anchor markers previously shown to be linked to apomixis in Paspalum simplex, were used to detect linkage with apomixis in P. notatum and P. malacophyllum. A comparative map of the region around the apomixis locus was constructed for the three Paspalum species, and compared to the rice map. The locus that controls apomixis in P. simplex was almost completely conserved in the closely related species P. malacophyllum, whereas it was only partially represented in the distantly related species P. notatum. Although strong synteny of markers was noted between this locus and a portion of rice chromosome 12 in both P. simplex and P. malacophyllum, the same locus in P. notatum was localized to a hybrid chromosome which carries markers that map to rice chromosomes 2 and 12. All three Paspalum species showed recombination suppression at the apomixis locus; in the case of P. notatum, this might be due to a heterozygosity for a translocation that most probably negatively interferes with chromosomal pairing near the locus. A common set of markers that show linkage with apomixis in all three Paspalum species define a portion of the apomixis-controlling locus that is likely to contain genes critical for apomictic reproduction.Communicated by R. Hagemann     

Molecular characterization of the S locus in two self-incompatible Brassica napus lines.

In Brassica species, self-incompatibility has been mapped genetically to a single chromosomal location. In this region, there are two closely linked genes coding for the S locus glycoprotein (SLG) and S locus receptor kinase (SRK). They appear to comprise the pistil component of the self-incompatibility reaction. SLG and SRK are thought to recognize an unknown pollen component on the incompatible pollen, and the gene encoding this pollen component must also be linked to the SLG and SRK genes. To further our understanding of self-incompatibility, the chromosomal region carrying the SLG and SRK genes has been studied. The physical region between the SLG-910 and the SRK-910 genes in the Brassica napus W1 line was cloned, and a search for genes expressed in the anther revealed two additional S locus genes located downstream of the SLG-910 gene. Because these two genes are novel and are conserved at other S alleles, we designated them as SLL1 and SLL2 (for S locus-linked genes 1 and 2, respectively). The SLL1 gene is S locus specific, whereas the SLL2 gene is not only present at the S locus but is also present in other parts of the genomes in both self-incompatible and self-compatible Brassica ssp lines. Expression of the SLL1 gene is only detectable in anthers of self-incompatible plants and is developmentally regulated during anther development, whereas the SLL2 gene is expressed in anthers and stigmas in both self-incompatible and self-compatible plants, with the highest levels of expression occurring in the stigmas. Although SLL1 and SLL2 are linked to the S locus region, it is not clear whether these genes function in self-incompatibility or serve some other cellular roles in pollen-pistil functions.     

The Genetics of the Dras3-Roughened-Ecdysoneless Chromosomal Region (62b3-4 to 62d3-4) in Drosophila Melanogaster: Analysis of Recessive Lethal Mutations

The genetic organization of interval 62B3-4 to 62D3-4 on the Drosophila third chromosome was investigated. The region (designated DRE) includes four known loci: Roughened (R; 3-1.4), defined by a dominant mutation disrupting eye morphology; the nonvital locus Aprt, structural gene for adenine phosphoribosyltransferase; Dras3, a homolog of the vertebrate ras oncogene; and 1(3)ecdysoneless (1(3)ecd), a gene that has been implicated in the regulation of larval molting hormone (ecdysteroid) synthesis. Overlapping chromosomal deletions of the region were generated by gamma-ray-induced reversion of the R mutation. Recessive lethal mutations were isolated based upon failure to complement the recessive lethality of Df(3L)RR2, a deletion of the DRE region that removes 16-18 polytene chromosome bands. A total of 117 mutations were isolated following ethyl methanesulfonate and gamma-ray mutagenesis. These and two additional define 13 lethal complementation groups. Mutations at two loci were recovered at disproportionately high rates. One of these loci is preferentially sensitive to radiation-induced mutational alterations. Additionally, an unusually low recovery rate for cytologically detectable rearrangement breakpoints within the gamma-ray-sensitive locus suggests that an interval of the DRE region closely linked to the R locus may be dominantly sensitive to position effects. Lethal phase analysis of mutant hemizygotes indicates that a high proportion of DRE-region loci (11 of 13) are necessary for larval development. Mutations in five loci cause predominantly first-instar larval lethality, while mutations in four other loci cause predominantly second-instar lethality. Mutations in two loci cause late-larval lethality associated with abnormal imaginal disc development. A temperature-sensitive allele of one newly identified complementation group blocks ecdysteroid-induced pupariation. This developmental block is overcome by dietary 20-hydroxyecdysone, suggesting that a second locus in the region in addition to l(3)ecd may play a role in the regulation of late larval ecdysteroid levels.