Single origin of sex chromosomes and multiple origins of B chromosomes in fish genus Characidium

Chromosome painting with DNA probes obtained from supernumerary (B) and sex chromosomes in three species of fish genus Characidium (C. gomesi, C. pterostictum and C. oiticicai) showed a close resemblance in repetitive DNA content between B and sex chromosomes in C. gomesi and C. pterostictum. This suggests an intraspecific origin for B chromosomes in these two species, probably deriving from sex chromosomes. In C. oiticicai, however, a DNA probe obtained from its B chromosome hybridized with the B but not with the A chromosomes, suggesting that the B chromosome in this species could have arisen interspecifically, although this hypothesis needs further investigation. A molecular phylogenetic analysis performed on nine Characidium species, with two mtDNA genes, showed that the presence of heteromorphic sex chromosomes in these species is a derived condition, and that their origin could have been unique, a conclusion also supported by interspecific chromosome painting with a CgW probe derived from the W chromosome in C. gomesi. Summing up, our results indicate that whereas heteromorphic sex chromosomes in the genus Characidium appear to have had a common and unique origin, B chromosomes may have had independent origins in different species. Our results also show that molecular phylogenetic analysis is an excellent complement for cytogenetic studies by unveiling the direction of evolutionary chromosome changes.This research was funded by grants from the State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) to EAS (2013/02143-3), grants from National Council for Research and Development (CNPq) to FF (480449/2012-0), and by Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nıvel Superior (CAPES)

Origens dos cromossomos B em espécies de Characidium (Characiformes, Crenuchidae) baseada em pintura cromossômica, sequências de rDNA e histonas

B or supernumerary chromosomes are extra elements to the standard set A and are present in several groups of eukaryotes, such as plants, fungi and animals. They may have different origins, including derivation of autosomal or sex chromosomes and even by interspecific crosses, which make them as an interesting model for genetic and evolutionary studies. The advent of chromosome microdissection technique, a method that allows the direct isolation of DNA from any region cytogenetically recognized, has provided new information on the structure and composition of these genomic elements in a significant number of organisms. In this sense, the present work was developed aiming to analyze the B chromosomes present in three fish species of the genus Characidium through classical and molecular cytogenetic techniques involving microdissection of B and sex chromosomes associated with the FISH technique, as well as fluorescent in situ hybridization of 18S and 5S ribosomal DNAs and genes for the H3 and H4 histones. Additionally, these repetitive DNA sequences were amplified, cloned and sequenced from genomic DNA of individuals without B chromosomes and from B chromosomes DNA microdissected. The results obtained by chromosome painting confirmed that the ZW sex chromosomes have a single origin in this group, while the B chromosomes have two types of origin. In C. gomesi and C. pterostictum, B chromosomes apparently exhibit an intraspecific origin, related to sex chromosomes, but, considering the placement of these species in the phylogeny established, in independent events. Moreover, in C. oiticicai these elements might have had an interspecific origin, possibly related to some sort of hybridization by introgression. The presence of histone sequences and 5S rDNA in B chromosomes evidenced by physical mapping and PCR amplification, as well as low genetic divergence, indicate a common ancestry between sequences present in B chromosomes of C. gomesi ...Cromossomos B ou supranumerários são elementos extras ao conjunto padrão A e estão presentes em vários grupos de eucariotos, como plantas, fungos e animais. Podem ter origens distintas, incluindo derivação do conjunto autossômico ou de cromossomos sexuais e até mesmo por cruzamentos interespecíficos, o que os caracterizam como um interessante modelo para estudos genéticos e evolutivos. O advento da técnica de microdissecção cromossômica, método que possibilita o isolamento direto do DNA de qualquer região citogeneticamente reconhecida, tem proporcionado avanços no conhecimento da estrutura e composição destes elementos genômicos em um número significativo de organismos. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de analisar os cromossomos B presentes em três espécies de peixes do gênero Characidium, através de técnicas citogenéticas clássicas e moleculares, envolvendo microdissecção dos cromossomos Bs e sexuais, associada à técnica de FISH, assim como hibridação fluorescente in situ dos DNAs ribossômicos 5S e 18S e DNAs histônicos H3 e H4. Adicionalmente, estas sequências de DNA repetitivo foram amplificadas, clonadas e sequenciadas a partir do DNA genômico de indivíduos sem cromossomos B e do DNA dos cromossomos B microdissecados. Os resultados obtidos pela pintura cromossômica confirmam que os cromossomos sexuais ZW possuem uma origem única neste grupo, enquanto os cromossomos B possuem dois tipos de origem. Em C. gomesi e C. pterostictum, os cromossomos B apresentam origem intraespecífica, relacionada aos cromossomos sexuais, mas independentes, considerando o posicionamento destas espécies na filogenia estabelecida. Por outro lado, em C. oiticicai esses elementos podem ter tido uma origem interespecífica, possivelmente relacionada a algum tipo de hibridação introgresiva. A presença de sequências histônicas e de DNAr 5S nos cromossomos B evidenciada pelo mapeamento ..

Mapping five repetitive DNA classes in sympatric species of Hypostomus (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Loricariidae): analysis of chromosomal variability

Fish belonging to the genus Hypostomus are known for exhibiting a striking diversity in its karyotype structure, however the knowledge concerning the distribution patterns of heterochromatin and location of repetitive DNA sequences in the karyotypes is still limited. Aiming a better understanding of the chromosomal organization in this group, we analyzed three sympatric species of Hypostomus collected in the Hortelã stream, a component of the Paranapanema River basin, Botucatu/SP/Brazil. The analyses involved the cytogenetic characterization and chromosomal mapping of repetitive sequences and intra/interspecific comparisons using sequences of the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I. The results revealed that H. ancistroides presents a karyotype with 2n = 68 chromosomes, H. strigaticeps 2n = 72 chromosomes, and H. nigromaculatus 2n = 76 chromosomes. In addition to differences found in the diploid number, it was also observed variations in karyotypic formulae, amount of constitutive heterochromatin, and location of nucleolus organizer regions. The cytogenetic mapping of 5S and 18S rDNA, as well as of the H3 histone gene, disclosed a differential dispersion process among the three species. In some cases the Rex1 transposable element showed to be co-located with 5S rDNA sites. The molecular analyses support the cytogenetic data and represent an additional tool for the characterization of the analyzed species. The results evidenced that chromosomal variations are not restricted to differences in diploid number or karyotypic macrostructure in the genus Hypostomus, indicating that events such as transposition of heterochromatin and rDNA segments may participate in the differentiation process occurred in these species. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

Summary of <i>in situ</i> hybridisation experiments with the B and W chromosome probes.

<p>Summary of <i>in situ</i> hybridisation experiments with the B and W chromosome probes.</p

Proportion of individuals carrying B chromosomes (prevalence).

<p>Proportion of individuals carrying B chromosomes (prevalence) in three species of fish genus <i>Characidium</i>. The B-carrying population in each species is indicated in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0107169#pone-0107169-t001" target="_blank">Table 1</a>. χ² =  Yates's corrected contingency chi square test comparing the frequency of B-carrying (B⁺) and B-lacking (B⁻) females and males.</p><p>Proportion of individuals carrying B chromosomes (prevalence).</p

Map showing collection localities for each <i>Characidium</i> species.

<p>Map showing collection localities for each <i>Characidium</i> species.</p

Metaphase chromosome spreads after C-banding.

<p>a) <i>C.</i><i>gomesi</i> (Alambari River), b) <i>C.</i><i>gomesi</i> (Paranapanema River), c) <i>C.</i><i>pterostictum</i> (Betari River), d) <i>C.</i><i>oiticicai</i> (Paraitinguinha River). The scale bar equals 10 µm.</p