Karyotype diversity and patterns of chromosomal evolution in Eigenmannia (Teleostei, Gymnotiformes, Sternopygidae)

Conventional (Giemsa, C-banding, Ag – NORs) and molecular [5S rDNA, 18S rDNA, (TTAGGG)n] cytogenetic techniques were employed to study six species of the genus Eigenmannia Jordan & Evermann, 1896. They exhibited diploid chromosome numbers ranging from 2n=28 (Eigenmannia sp.1) to 2n=38 (E. virescens (Valenciennes, 1836)). The C-banding results revealed that species with the lowest 2n have less heterochromatin content and that morphologically differentiated sex chromosomes observed in two species showed distinct patterns of heterochromatin. While the X1, X2 and Y-chromosomes of Eigenmannia sp.2 showed only centromeric heterochromatin, the XY sex chromosomes of E. virescens possessed large heterochromatic blocks in the terminal position, particularly on the X chromosome. The nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) were located in different positions when compared to the 5S rDNA sites. Additionally, the presence of minor ribosomal gene sites on the sex chromosome pair of E. virescens represented a new type of the sex chromosomes in this group. The telomeric probe (TTAGGG)n hybridized to the terminal portion of all chromosomes in all species examined however, interstitial telomeric sites were found in the metacentric pair No. 2 in Eigenmannia sp.1. The analyzes confirmed some hypotheses about karyotype evolution in the genus Eigenmannia, and brought new information about the distribution of the genetic material in the chromosomes of the samples analyzed providing new insights for understanding the process differentiation in the genomes of species under study

A Long-Term Conserved Satellite DNA That Remains Unexpanded in Several Genomes of Characiformes Fish Is Actively Transcribed

Eukaryotic genomes contain large amounts of repetitive DNA sequences, such as tandemly repeated satellite DNAs (satDNAs). These sequences are highly dynamic and tend to be genus- or species-specific due to their particular evolutionary pathways, although there are few unusual cases of conserved satDNAs over long periods of time. Here, we used multiple approaches to reveal that an satDNA named CharSat01-52 originated in the last common ancestor of Characoidei fish, a superfamily within the Characiformes order, ∼140-78 Ma, whereas its nucleotide composition has remained considerably conserved in several taxa. We show that 14 distantly related species within Characoidei share the presence of this satDNA, which is highly amplified and clustered in subtelomeric regions in a single species (Characidium gomesi), while remained organized as small clusters in all the other species. Defying predictions of the molecular drive of satellite evolution, CharSat01-52 shows similar values of intra- and interspecific divergence. Although we did not provide evidence for a specific functional role of CharSat01-52, its transcriptional activity was demonstrated in different species. In addition, we identified short tandem arrays of CharSat01-52 embedded within single-molecule real-time long reads of Astyanax paranae (536 bp-3.1 kb) and A. mexicanus (501 bp-3.9 kb). Such arrays consisted of head-to-tail repeats and could be found interspersed with other sequences, inverted sequences, or neighbored by other satellites. Our results provide a detailed characterization of an old and conserved satDNA, challenging general predictions of satDNA evolution

Long-term persistence of supernumerary B chromosomes in multiple species of Astyanax fish

Background Eukaryote genomes frequently harbor supernumerary B chromosomes in addition to the “standard” A chromosome set. B chromosomes are thought to arise as byproducts of genome rearrangements and have mostly been considered intraspecific oddities. However, their evolutionary transcendence beyond species level has remained untested. Results Here we reveal that the large metacentric B chromosomes reported in several fish species of the genus Astyanax arose in a common ancestor at least 4 million years ago. We generated transcriptomes of A. scabripinnis and A. paranae 0B and 1B individuals and used these assemblies as a reference for mapping all gDNA and RNA libraries to quantify coverage differences between B-lacking and B-carrying genomes. We show that the B chromosomes of A. scabripinnis and A. paranae share 19 protein-coding genes, of which 14 and 11 were also present in the B chromosomes of A. bockmanni and A. fasciatus, respectively. Our search for B-specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified the presence of B-derived transcripts in B-carrying ovaries, 80% of which belonged to nobox, a gene involved in oogenesis regulation. Importantly, the B chromosome nobox paralog is expressed > 30× more than the A chromosome paralog. This indicates that the normal regulation of this gene is altered in B-carrying females, which could potentially facilitate B inheritance at higher rates than Mendelian law prediction. Conclusions Taken together, our results demonstrate the long-term survival of B chromosomes despite their lack of regular pairing and segregation during meiosis and that they can endure episodes of population divergence leading to species formation

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)

Delimiting the Origin of a B Chromosome by FISH Mapping, Chromosome Painting and DNA Sequence Analysis in Astyanax paranae (Teleostei, Characiformes)

Supernumerary (B) chromosomes have been shown to contain a wide variety of repetitive sequences. For this reason, fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) is a useful tool for ascertaining the origin of these genomic elements, especially when combined with painting from microdissected B chromosomes. In order to investigate the origin of B chromosomes in the fish species Astyanax paranae, these two approaches were used along with PCR amplification of specific DNA sequences obtained from the B chromosomes and its comparison with those residing in the A chromosomes. Remarkably, chromosome painting with the one-arm metacentric B chromosome probe showed hybridization signals on entire B chromosome, while FISH mapping revealed the presence of H1 histone and 18S rDNA genes symmetrically placed in both arms of the B chromosome. These results support the hypothesis that the B chromosome of A. paranae is an isochromosome. Additionally, the chromosome pairs Nos. 2 or 23 are considered the possible B chromosome ancestors since both contain syntenic H1 and 18S rRNA sequences. The analysis of DNA sequence fragments of the histone and rRNA genes obtained from the microdissected B chromosomes showed high similarity with those obtained from 0B individuals, which supports the intraspecific origin of B chromosomes in A. paranae. Finally, the population hereby analysed showed a female-biased B chromosome presence suggesting that B chromosomes in this species could influence sex determinism.This research was funded by grants from the State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) to DMZAS (2011/16825-3) and CO (2010/17009-2), grants from National Council for Research and Development (CNPq) to FF and by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Desvendando o sistema ABO: subsídios para o ensino de ciências e biologia

O conteúdo “Grupos sanguíneos” é abordado principalmente no ensino de biologia no Ensino Médio e está atrelado a diversas questões biológicas relevantes ao ensino básico. Além disso, sabe-se que esse tema é de cunho abstrato aos alunos, o que muitas vezes dificulta a apropriação do conteúdo pelo aluno. Nesse contexto, se torna relevante a elaboração de materiais que contribuam para um melhor processo de ensino e aprendizagem desse tema, além da incorporação da dimensão lúdica no universo escolar. Assim, a proposta do presente trabalho foi a elaboração de dois modelos didáticos de célula que facilitem a visualização da relação direta existente entre os genes responsáveis pela manifestação dos antígenos do sistema ABO, os genótipos dos diferentes indivíduos e as possibilidades de transfusão sanguínea existentes dentro de cada grupo sanguíneo. Além disso, foi construído um jogo didático de perguntas e respostas que envolvem os conhecimentos adquiridos durante a explanação teórica do professor com o intuito de fixação do conteúdo. O conteúdo fornecido neste trabalho foi baseado em livros didáticos, possibilitando aulas com conteúdo programático adequado e evitando erros conceituai

Estrutura cromossômica e caracterização cariotípica no complexo de espécies Synbranchus marmoratus (Teleostei, Synbranchiformes, Synbranchidae)

Complexos de espécies crípticas são grupos de espécies estreitamente relacionadas, dificilmente distinguíveis por características morfológicas. Estes complexos são conhecidos em uma significativa variedade de organismos, principalmente plantas, insetos, fungos e peixes. Em peixes, complexos de espécies já foram identificados para representantes de diferentes ordens, como Characiformes, Gymnotiformes e Synbranchiformes. No presente estudo, foram analisadas amostras de S. marmoratus coletadas em oito localidades brasileiras distintas com o uso de técnicas citogenéticas clássicas (coloração convencional com Giemsa, localização das regiões organizadoras de nucléolo pela marcação com nitrato de Prata – AgNO3 e bandamento C) e moleculares (hibridação in situ fluorescente com sondas de DNAr 5S e 18S, DNAhis H3, elemento transponível Rex3 e sondas teloméricas). Além disso, análises moleculares foram realizadas utilizando dados de sequências de três genes mitocondriais (Citocromo B - CytB, Citocromo oxidase 1 - COI e DNAr 16S) de indivíduos com cariótipo conhecido. Considerando as amostras analisadas, números diploides distintos foram encontrados (42, 44 e 46 cromossomos) que, combinados com as fórmulas cariotípicas, resultam na distinção de cinco cariomorfos em S. marmoratus. A análise filogenética realizada confirma o status de complexo de espécies e revela que eventos múltiplos, possivelmente bidirecionais, seriam responsáveis pelo surgimento da variabilidade cariotípica neste grupo. O mapeamento físico do DNAr 5S revela que estes sítios se mantiveram conservados durante a história evolutiva de Synbranchus, enquanto que, de forma oposta, os sítios para DNAr 18S estão distribuídos de maneira polimórfica, com variações intrapopulacionais significativas, indicando que mecanismos evolutivos distintos estão agindo sobre a dispersão destas sequências. O mapeamento de...Cryptic species complex are groups of species straightly related but hardly distinguished by morphological traits. These complexes are known to occur in a great variety of organisms, mainly plants, insects, yeasts and also fishes. Considering the fish group, species complex had already been identified in representatives from different orders, such as Characiformes, Gymnotiformes e Synbranchiformes. In the present study, samples of S. marmoratus collected at eight different Brazilian sites were analyzed, using classical cytogenetic techniques (conventional staining with Giemsa, localization of nucleolar organizer regions with Silver nitrate staining - AgNO3 and C-banding) and molecular (Fluorescence in situ hybridization with 5S and 18S rDNA, H3 DNAhis, transposable element Rex3 and telomeric probes). Besides that, molecular analyses were carried out using sequence data from three mitochondrial genes (Cytochrome B – CytB, Cytochrome oxidase 1 – COI and 16S) obtained for each individual with known karyotype. Considering the analyzed samples, distinct diploid numbers were found (42, 44 and 46 chromosomes) and, associated with karyotype formulae, resulted in the distinction of five karyomorphs in S. marmoratus. The phylogenetic analyses confirmed the status of a species complex and revealed that multiple and, possibly bidirectional events were responsible the karyotypic variability found in this group. The physical mapping of 5S rDNA reveals that these sites kept conserved during the evolutionary history of Synbranchus, contrary to 18S rDNA sites which are distributed in a polymorphic way, with sigficant intrapopulational variability, indicating that distinct evolutionary mechanisms may be acting upon the dispersion of these sequences. The mapping of H3 hisDNA revealed a dispersed pattern of distribution of these sites on the genome of all karyomorphs, frequently found as little clusters accumulated ..