[Molecular-cytogenetic characteristics of B-chromosomes in chironomid (Diptera, Chironomidae)]

Tsitologiia. 2003;45(6):582-9.
[Article in Russian]

Abstract

Morphological and molecular study of B-chromosomes of three Chironomus species (siblings Ch. borokensis and Ch. phumosus from plumosus group, and Ch. heterodentatus from obtusidens group) was carried out. Morphological similarity of B-chromosome banding pattern and telomer-centromeric region banding pattern of chromosome IV in Ch. borokensis was shown. Polytene B-chromosomes of Ch. borokensis and Ch. heterodentatus were microdissected, and their DNA was amplified using degenerate oligonucleotide primer polymerase chain reaction. Comparative analysis of the localization of homologous B-chromosome DNA sequences of A- and B-polytene chromosomes was made using in situ fluorescence hybridization. It has been shown that B-chromosomes in the studied species are composed mainly of repetitive DNA sequences homologous to sequences of centromeric and telomeric DNA of A-chromosomes, and also these of the mobile element NLRCthl. The B-chromosome DNA, homologous to sequences of DNA mobile element, was scattered on A-chromosomes (more than 100 sites). No ribosomal DNA repeats were identified in B-chromosome. Heterologous FISH of B-chromosome DNA to polytene A-chromosomes of Ch. thummi, a species lacking B-chromosomes, enabled us to reveal the presence of numerous sites homologous to DNA of B-chromosomes. These are mainly mobile element sites. An origin of B-chromosomes and peculiarities of their organization in chironomids are discussed.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Centromere / genetics
  • Chironomidae / genetics*
  • Chromosome Banding
  • Chromosomes / ultrastructure*
  • DNA / genetics*
  • DNA Probes / genetics
  • DNA Transposable Elements / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Salivary Glands / ultrastructure
  • Telomere / genetics

Substances

  • DNA Probes
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • DNA, Ribosomal
  • DNA