Thèses sur le sujet « Repetitive DNA elements »

Mouse and rat cells encode an abundant 30S RNA which shares many structural properties with retroviral genomic RNA. This VL30 RNA can be efficiently packaged into retrovirus particles. Mouse cells recently infected with a MuLV (VL30) pseudotype were shown to contain full length, reverse-transcribed DNA copies of both RNA species. VL30 DNA could also be synthesized in quantity using the endogenous reverse transcriptase activity of detergent-disrupted MuLV (VL30) particles. This DNA was found to be identical to that produced in vivo. Several 4.6-4.9kbp molecular clones (NVL clones) of VL30 cDNA were obtained. The retrovirus-like LTRs of each clone displayed a moderate restriction enzyme site heterogeneity, but NVL unique sequence was identical in each case. Southern blotting experiments using NVL probes showed that (a) most of the 100-200 NIH-3T3 DNA mouse VL30 elements were organized into provirus-like structures with a high degree of sequence conservation, and (b) the majority of these elements were hypermethylated and transcriptionally inactlve, whereas an expressed NVL-like sub-class could account for no more than 5% of mouse VL30 genes. NVL-related sequences in rodent DNAs other than the mouse were markedly less abundant and showed a greater sequence divergence. This was in contrast to MuLV-related sequences whose copy number and homology to a cloned MuLV probe decreased more gradually with phylogenetic distance from the mouse. Sub-genomic NVL probes showed that two rodent species had each conserved a different block of NVL-like sequence. These data indicate that each family has exhibited a different rate of sequence divergence during rodent evolution. Finally, a MuLV (VL30)-infected rat fibroblast line was shown to have received 1-2 copies per cell of a transcriptionally active NVL-like element. This suggests the possibility that evolution of each rodent VL30 family has been influenced by retrovirus-mediated transmission across the species barrier.

Master of Science
Genetics Interdepartmental Program
Sanzhen Liu
The major component of complex genomes is repetitive elements, which remain recalcitrant to characterization. Using maize as a model system, we analyzed whole genome shotgun (WGS) sequences for the two maize inbred lines B73 and Mo17 using k-mer analysis to quantify the differences between the two genomes. Significant differences were identified in highly repetitive sequences, including centromere, 45S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), knob, and telomere repeats. Genotype specific 45S rDNA sequences were discovered. The B73 and Mo17 polymorphic k-mers were used to examine allele-specific expression of 45S rDNA in the hybrids. Although Mo17 contains higher copy number than B73, equivalent levels of overall 45S rDNA expression indicates that transcriptional or post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms operate for the 45S rDNA in the hybrids. Using WGS sequences of B73xMo17 doubled haploids, genomic locations showing differential repetitive contents were genetically mapped, revealing differences in organization of highly repetitive sequences between the two genomes. In an analysis of WGS sequences of HapMap2 lines, including maize wild progenitor, landraces, and improved lines, decreases and increases in abundance of additional sets of k-mers associated with centromere, 45S rDNA, knob, and retrotransposons were found among groups, revealing global evolutionary trends of genomic repeats during maize domestication and improvement.

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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)
Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
Uma grande porção do genoma da maioria dos organismos é composta por seqüências repetidas de DNA que foram considerados, por muitos anos, como DNA “egoísta” ou como DNA “lixo”. Pouca atenção tem sido dada a estes segmentos de DNA uma vez que eles não são transcritos em produtos codificantes ou funcionais. Atualmente diversos trabalhos têm sugerido o envolvimento destas seqüências na regulação e reparo de alguns genes, na diferenciação de cromossomos sexuais e na organização estrutural e funcional do genoma. Os estudos citogenético-moleculares, como o mapeamento físico cromossômico, têm demonstrado que as seqüências de DNA repetidas podem ser muito úteis como ferramentas para definir a estrutura e revelar a organização e evolução do genoma das espécies. No presente trabalho, vários elementos repetidos (AoHinfI-4, AoHaeIII-6, AoHaeIII-15) foram isolados, através de restrição enzimática, do genoma do ciclídeo sul-americano Astronotus ocellatus, popularmente conhecido como “Oscar” ou “Apaiari”. Estes elementos foram seqüenciados e utilizados como sondas para hibridação cromossômica para o estudo de seu padrão de distribuição no cariótipo. As seqüências dos elementos repetidos isolados por restrição enzimática apresentaram alta similaridade com outros DNAs repetidos de outras espécies de peixes já depositadas em banco de dados. Os resultados da hibridação in situ de todos os elementos utilizados mostraram um acúmulo de marcações preferencialmente centromérica em todos os cromossomos do complemento. Essas marcações também são coincidentes com a localização da heterocromatina evidenciada através do bandamento C, reforçando a idéia do acúmulo de DNA repetitivo em regiões heterocromáticas. Essa distribuição preferencialmente centromérica dos elementos repetidos isolados sugere que tais seqüências devam desempenhar...
In most organisms a great portion of the genome is composed of repetitive DNA sequences. However little attention has been given to these segments of DNA, which were considered by many years as selfish or “junk” DNA. On the other hand, several works have suggested the involvement of these sequences in the regulation and repair of some genes, in the differentiation of sex chromosomes and in the structural and functional organization of the genome. The cytogenetics and molecular studies, as the physical chromosome mapping, has been demonstrating that repetitive sequences can be very useful as tools to define the structure and to reveal the organization and evolution of the genome of the species. In the present work several repetitive elements (retrotransposons Rex1, Rex3 and Rex6; transposon Tc1; the elements AoHinfI-4, AoHaeIII-6, AoHaeIII-15) were isolated using PCR and enzymatic restriction digestion of the genome of the cichlid Astronotus ocellatus, popularly known as Oscar or Apaiari. These elements were sequenced and their genomic distribution determined by chromosomal in situ hybridization. The nucleotide sequences of the isolated elements showed high similarity to repetitive DNAs of other fish species available in public databases. The results of in situ hybridization showed an accumulation of all obtained elements preferentially in centromeres of all chromosomes of the complement. The chromosomal signals were also coincident with the location of the heterocromatins evidenced through the C banding, reinforcing the idea of the accumulation of repetitive DNA in heterocromatic areas. These preferential distribution in the centromeres, suggests that such sequences should play an important role in the functional organizational and structure of the centromeres and, thus in the genome of this species. The great majority of the studies using the physical chromosome mapping... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

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The Loricariidae family is the largest in the Siluriformes order, being comprised of eight subfamilies. One of these, the Loricariinae subfamily, shows great diversity in respect to the number of chromosomes and karyotype formula, varying in the diploid number (2n) from 36 to 74 chromosomes. This diverse range originated mainly from Robertsonian(Rb) rearrangements. Rineloricaria is the largest genre in the Loricariinae subfamily, its species ranging from 2n = 36 to 70 chromosomes. In spite of this, little is known about which kinds of repetitive DNA gave rise to the events of chromosome fusion or fission. Previous studies have revealed the presence of multiple 5S rDNA sites in specimens of Rineloricaria from the Paraná River Basin, associated to the Robertsonian fission/fusion events. The aim of this work was the molecular characterization of the fragile sites associated to the 5S rDNA, besides localizing in situ marker chromosomes in Rineloricaria latirostris from the Das Pedras River and R. latirostris from the Piumhi River (first described in this work), seeking to understand the 2n diversification in this group. Rineloricaria latirostris from the Pedras River exhibited 2n = 46 chromosomes, while those from the Piumhi River presented 2n = 48 chromosomes, and both had a fundamental number (FN) of 60. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays in R. latirostris from the Piumhi River revealed 2 chromosome pairs with 5S rDNA sites, pair 7 with 18S rDNA, and only terminal staining when subjected to a telomeric probe (TTAGGGn). The population of the Pedras river exhibited 5 pairs with 5S rDNA sites, the metacentric (m) pair 2 marked with 18S rDNA, TTAGGGn markers in the terminal regions of the chromosomes, and the presence of interstitial telomeric sites (ITS) in pairs m 1 and m 3. The latter, in synteny with 5S rDNA, is indicative of Robertsonian fusion events. The isolation, cloning and sequencing of the 5S rDNA revealed clones with high sequence identity to 5S rDNA from other species, in addition to the necessary regions for recognition and transcription by RNA polymerase III. One clone of ~700 bp exhibited a degenerated fragment of hAT transposon in its sequence. It was named degenerated 5S rDNA. The fluorescence in situ hybridization assay highlighted chromosomes with co-localized staining for 5S rDNA/hAT, 5S rDNA/degenerated 5S rDNA, and 5S rDNA/ITS (m 3 pair) in R. latirostris from das Pedras River. In R. latirostris from Piumhi River, there was no detection of degenerated 5S rDNA sites. These results allow us to infer the role of the hAT transposon in the dispersion of 5S rDNA sites in the population, since some studies have indicated a relation between 5S rDNA dispersion and transposons in fish. In conclusion, data obtained by this study indicate a possible association between the hAT and the dispersion of 5S rDNA sites and Robertsonian events in the studied population of R. latirostris. The presence of the 5S rDNA/degenerated 5S rDNA/ITS generates hotspots for chromosomal breakage, contributing to the large karyotype diversity found in Loricariidae.
A família Loricariidae é a mais numerosa dentro da ordem Siluriformes e abrange oito subfamílias. A subfamília Loricarinae apresenta uma grande diversidade no que diz respeito ao número de cromossomos e a fórmula cariotípica, com variação do número diploide (2n) de 36 a 74 cromossomos, sendo os rearranjos Robertsonianos (Rb) considerados os principais mecanismos para explicar esta variação cromossômica. Rineloricaria é o gênero mais numeroso de Loricariinae, com espécies apresentando 2n = 36 - 70 cromossomos. Contudo, pouco ainda se sabe sobre quais os tipos de DNAs repetitivos originaram os eventos de fissão e fusão cromossômica. Estudos anteriores revelaram a presença de sítios múltiplos de rDNA 5S em exemplares de Rineloricaria da bacia do Rio Paraná, associados aos eventos de fissão/fusão Robertsonianos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi a caracterização molecular de sítios frágeis associados ao rDNA 5S, além da localização in situ de marcadores cromossômicos em Rineloricaria latirostris do rio das Pedras e R. latirostris do rio Piumhi (pela primeira vez descrito neste trabalho), visando a compreensão da diversificação do 2n neste grupo. Rineloricaria latirostris do rio das Pedras apresentou 2n = 46 cromossomos, enquanto R. latirostris do rio Piumhi apresentou 2n = 48 cromossomos, ambos com número fundamental (NF) de 60. Ensaios de hibridação in situ fluorescente em R. latirostris do rio Piumhi revelaram 2 pares cromossômicos marcados com rDNA 5S, o par 7 marcado com rDNA 18S, além de apenas marcações terminais utilizando-se a sonda telomérica (TTAGGGn). A população do rio das Pedras apresentou 5 pares portadores de sítios de rDNA 5S, o par metacêntrico (m) 2 marcado com rDNA 18S, marcações de TTAGGGn nas regiões terminais dos cromossomos, além da presença de vestígios de sítios teloméricos intersticiais (interstitial telomeric sites - ITS) nos pares m 1 e m 3, sendo este último em sintenia com o rDNA 5S, indicativo de eventos de fusão Robertsoniana. O isolamento, clonagem e sequenciamento de fragmentos de rDNA 5S, revelaram clones apresentando alta identidade ao rDNA 5S de outras espécies, além das regiões necessárias para o reconhecimento e transcrição pela RNA polimerase III. Um dos clones de ~700 pb apresentou um fragmento do transposon hAT em sua sequência, já em intensa degeneração molecular, sendo denominado de rDNA 5S degenerado. A hibridação in situ fluorescente evidenciou cromossomos com marcações co-localizadas de rDNA 5S/hAT, rDNA 5S/rDNA 5S degenerado e rDNA 5S/ITS (no par m 3) em R. latirostris do rio da Pedras. Em R. latirostris do rio Piumhi, não foram detectados sítios com rDNA 5S degenerado. Estes resultados nos permitem inferir o papel do TE hAT na dispersão dos sítios de rDNA 5S na população estudada, visto que alguns estudos indicam haver uma relação entre a dispersão do rDNA 5S pelo genoma e TEs em peixes. Em conclusão, os dados obtidos neste estudo indicam uma possível associação entre o elemento hAT e a dispersão de sítios de rDNA 5S e eventos Robertsonianos presentes na população de R. latirostris estudada. A presença de rDNA 5S/rDNA 5S degenerado/ITS geram hotspots para as quebras cromossômicas, contribuindo assim para a ampla diversidade cariotípica encontrada em Loricariidae.

Three genomic clones encompassing human DNA segments (designated LhX-3, LhX-4, and LhX5) were isolated from an X chromosome-specific library and subjected to analysis by physical mapping and DNA sequencing. It was found that these three clones are very rich in repetitive DNA sequence elements and retropseudogenes.

Orientador: Cesar Martins
Banca: André Luís Laforga Vanzela
Banca: Luiz Antônio Carlos Bertollo
Resumo: Uma grande porção do genoma da maioria dos organismos é composta por seqüências repetidas de DNA que foram considerados, por muitos anos, como DNA "egoísta" ou como DNA "lixo". Pouca atenção tem sido dada a estes segmentos de DNA uma vez que eles não são transcritos em produtos codificantes ou funcionais. Atualmente diversos trabalhos têm sugerido o envolvimento destas seqüências na regulação e reparo de alguns genes, na diferenciação de cromossomos sexuais e na organização estrutural e funcional do genoma. Os estudos citogenético-moleculares, como o mapeamento físico cromossômico, têm demonstrado que as seqüências de DNA repetidas podem ser muito úteis como ferramentas para definir a estrutura e revelar a organização e evolução do genoma das espécies. No presente trabalho, vários elementos repetidos (AoHinfI-4, AoHaeIII-6, AoHaeIII-15) foram isolados, através de restrição enzimática, do genoma do ciclídeo sul-americano Astronotus ocellatus, popularmente conhecido como "Oscar" ou "Apaiari". Estes elementos foram seqüenciados e utilizados como sondas para hibridação cromossômica para o estudo de seu padrão de distribuição no cariótipo. As seqüências dos elementos repetidos isolados por restrição enzimática apresentaram alta similaridade com outros DNAs repetidos de outras espécies de peixes já depositadas em banco de dados. Os resultados da hibridação in situ de todos os elementos utilizados mostraram um acúmulo de marcações preferencialmente centromérica em todos os cromossomos do complemento. Essas marcações também são coincidentes com a localização da heterocromatina evidenciada através do bandamento C, reforçando a idéia do acúmulo de DNA repetitivo em regiões heterocromáticas. Essa distribuição preferencialmente centromérica dos elementos repetidos isolados sugere que tais seqüências devam desempenhar... (Resumo completo clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: In most organisms a great portion of the genome is composed of repetitive DNA sequences. However little attention has been given to these segments of DNA, which were considered by many years as "selfish" or "junk" DNA. On the other hand, several works have suggested the involvement of these sequences in the regulation and repair of some genes, in the differentiation of sex chromosomes and in the structural and functional organization of the genome. The cytogenetics and molecular studies, as the physical chromosome mapping, has been demonstrating that repetitive sequences can be very useful as tools to define the structure and to reveal the organization and evolution of the genome of the species. In the present work several repetitive elements (retrotransposons Rex1, Rex3 and Rex6; transposon Tc1; the elements AoHinfI-4, AoHaeIII-6, AoHaeIII-15) were isolated using PCR and enzymatic restriction digestion of the genome of the cichlid Astronotus ocellatus, popularly known as "Oscar" or "Apaiari". These elements were sequenced and their genomic distribution determined by chromosomal in situ hybridization. The nucleotide sequences of the isolated elements showed high similarity to repetitive DNAs of other fish species available in public databases. The results of in situ hybridization showed an accumulation of all obtained elements preferentially in centromeres of all chromosomes of the complement. The chromosomal signals were also coincident with the location of the heterocromatins evidenced through the C banding, reinforcing the idea of the accumulation of repetitive DNA in heterocromatic areas. These preferential distribution in the centromeres, suggests that such sequences should play an important role in the functional organizational and structure of the centromeres and, thus in the genome of this species. The great majority of the studies using the physical chromosome mapping... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Mestre

Hlavní motivací diplomové práce bylo najít vhodný algoritmus, který by vytvořil grafovou reprezentaci NGS sekvenačních dat v lineárním čase. Zvolenou metodou pro reprezentaci je de Bruijnův graf. V další části práce byl navrhnut nástroj, který je schopen transformovat graf do přijatelné podoby pro vykreslování, a dále je schopen odstraňovat chyby, které vznikají při konstrukci grafu. Cílem práce je vytvořit nástroj, který rekonstruuje repetitivní segmenty v DNA. Implementovaný nástroj byl otestován a je schopen identifikovat opakující se segmenty, určit jejich typy, vizualizovat je a sestavit jejich sekvenci na jednodušších genomech s velkou přesnotí. Při použití složitějších genomů, nástroj nalezne pouze fragmenty repetitivních segmentů.

The main theme of this work is the detection of overlaps in NGS data. The work contains an overview of NGS sequencing technologies that are the source of NGS data. In the thesis, the problem of overlapping detection is generally defined. Next, an overview of the available algorithms and approaches for detecting overlaps in NGS data is created. Principles of these algorithms are described herein. In the second part of this work a suitable tool for detecting approximate overlaps in NGS data is designed and its implementation is described herein. In conclusion, the experiments performed with this tool and the conclusions that follow are summarized and described.

Eukaryotic genomes contain a large number of repetitive structures. Their detection and assembly today are the main challenges of bioinformatics. This work includes a classification of repetitive DNA and represents an implementation of a novel de novo assembler focusing on searching and constructing LTR retrotransposons and satellite DNA. Assembler accepts on his input short reads (single or pair-end), obtained from next-generation sequencing machines (NGS). This assembler is based on Overlap Layout Consensus approach.

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The most part of the eukaryote genomes is constituted for repetitive DNA or multiple copies DNA, which has already been considered as “junk”, may be associated to the heterochromatin. In this study three Astyanax scabripinnis populations from Pindamonhangaba and Guaratinguetá (SP, Brazil) rivers and stream and one population from Maringá (PR, Brazil) were analyzed about the nucleolar organizing region (NORs), As51 satellite DNA, 18S and 5S rDNA location. Moreover, repetitive sequences were isolated and mapped through Cot-1 technique, which showed homology with UnaL2, a LINE type retrotransposon. The fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), with the isolated built retrotransposon probe, evidenced disperse labeled and stronger in centromeric and telomeric chromosomes regions, co-located and interspersed with the 18S DNAr and As51, proven by the fiber-FISH technique. The B chromosome of those populations showed very conspicuous labeled with the LINE probe, also co-located with the As51 sequences. The NORs were actives in a single site of a homologue pair in all three populations, with no evidence that the transposable elements and repetitive DNA have influence in its regulation at the performed analyzes level.
A maior parte do genoma dos eucariotos é constituída por DNA repetitivo ou DNA de múltiplas cópias, o qual já foi considerado “lixo”, podendo estar associado à heterocromatina. Neste estudo foram analisadas três populações de Astyanax scabripinnis provenientes de rios e córregos de Pindamonhangaba e Guaratinguetá (SP, Brasil) e uma população da cidade de Maringá (PR, Brasil) quanto a localização das regiões organizadoras de nucléolo (RONs), DNA satélite As51, DNA ribossomal (DNAr) 18S e DNAr 5S. Ainda, foram isoladas e mapeadas sequências repetitivas por meio da técnica de Cot-1, que mostrou homologia com UnaL2, retrotransposon do tipo LINE. A hibridação in situ fluorescente (FISH), com sonda construída para o retrotransposon isolado, evidenciou marcações dispersas e mais concentradas em regiões centroméricas e teloméricas dos cromossomos, co-localizadas e interespaçadas com DNAr 18S e As51, comprovada pela técnica de fiber-FISH. O cromossomo B das populações mostrou marcações bastante conspícuas com a sonda LINE, também co-localizada com sequências As51. As RONs apresentaram-se ativas em sítios únicos de um par homólogo nas três populações, não havendo indícios de que elementos transponíveis e DNA repetitivo tenham influência na sua regulação ao nível das análises realizadas.

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae é uma bactéria de tamanho diminuto, caracterizada por um genoma pequeno, com baixo conteúdo GC. Está associada com doenças respiratórias de suínos, resultando em prejuízos produtivos e econômicos na indústria animal. A presença de sequências de DNA repetitivas, que ocorrem em grandes quantidades em células eucarióticas, vem sendo cada vez mais identificadas em genomas de procariotos, sendo também associadas a um potencial papel regulador. Uma vez que a regulação da transcrição nesses organismos ainda é pouco entendida, o objetivo do presente estudo foi realizar uma busca in silico por elementos repetitivos nas regiões intergênicas do genoma de M. hyopneumoniae linhagem 7448. Dois tipos de repetições foram selecionados para a busca inicial: tandem e palindromes. Regiões intergênicas de até 500 pb a montante do sítio de início da tradução de todas as CDSs do genoma de M. hyopneumoniae linhagem 7448 foram utilizadas para a predição. Para cada tipo de elemento dois programas computacionais independentes foram utilizados. As predições in silico resultaram em 144 repetições em tandem e 1.171 palindromes. O DNA repetitivo se encontra distribuído a montante de 86% das unidades transcricionais de M. hyopneumoniae linhagem 7448. Análises comparativas entre genomas de micoplasmas demonstraram diferentes níveis de conservação dos elementos repetitivos entre linhagens patogênicas e não-patogênicas. Linhagens patogênicas revelaram uma conservação de 59%, enquanto que a não patogênica, somente de 46%. Através de ensaios de amplificação quantitativa de DNA, foi observado diferentes níveis de expressão em genes codificantes para importantes proteínas, como glicina hidroximetiltransferase, lipoproteína, adesinas e proteína ligadora de GTP. Os genes codificantes para essas proteínas divergiam no número de repetições palindromes e tandens na sua respectiva região intergênica. Além disso, repetições encontradas em 206 genes já descritos como regulados em diferentes condições em M. hyopneumoniae linhagem 232 mostraram aproximadamente 80% de conservação em relação à linhagem M. hyopneumoniae linhagem 7448. Todos esses resultados sugerem um potencial papel regulador das repetições de DNA em tandem e palindromes em Mycoplasma.
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is a diminutive bacterium, characterized by a small genome with a low GC content. It is commonly associated with swine respiratory diseases, resulting in productivity and economic losses in the animal industry. Repetitive DNA, which occurs in large quantities in eukaryotic cells, has been increasingly identified in prokaryotic genomes, and has been associated with a potential regulatory function. Once transcription regulation in these organisms is still poorly understood, the aim of the current study was to perform an in silico search of repeat elements in the genomic intergenic regions of M. hyopneumoniae strain 7448. Two types of repeats were selected for initial search: Tandem and Palindromic. Intergenic regions up to 500 bp upstream from start codon of M. hyopneumoniae strain 7448 CDSs were used as input for the software’s prediction. For each type of repeat sequence, two independent software packages were used. Computational analysis results in 144 tandem repeats and 1,171 palindrome elements. The repeats were distributed in the upstream region of 86% of transcriptional units of M. hyopneumoniae strain 7448. Comparative analysis between distinct mycoplasmas, demonstrate different indices of repeat conservation among pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains. Pathogenic strains revealed 59% conservation, while non-pathogenic only 46%. Through assays of quantitative amplification of DNA, different levels of expression in genes coding important proteins have been demonstrated, as glycine hydroxymethyltransferase, lipoprotein, adhesins and GTP-binding protein. These protein coding genes differ in number of palindromes or tandem repeats in respective upstream regions. In addition, repeats found in 206 genes already described to be regulated in different grow conditions in M. hyopneumoniae strain 232 showed almost 80% of conservation in relation to M. hyopneumoniae strain 7448. All these findings, suggests a potential regulatory role of tandem and palindrome DNA repeats.

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The Loricariidae family (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes) is morphologically diverse, has a number close to 900 valid species, distributed in seven subfamilies (Lithogeneinae, Delturinae, Neoplecostominae, Hypoptopomatinae, Loricariinae, Ancistrinae and Hypostominae). However, cytogenetic studies in species of the family show evolutionary trends of karyotype diversification well defined for each of the subfamilies and the diploid number (2n) of 54 chromosomes is considered basal. Among the representatives of the subfamily Loricariinae, the variation of 2n is 36 to 74 chromosomes. Given these data, the Robertsonian rearrangements are the main mechanisms to explain the chromosome number variation in the subfamily. Rineloricaria is the most specious genus of Loricariinae, porting species with 2n = 36 to 2n = 70 chromosomes. However, little is known about what types of repetitive DNAs originate fission and fusion chromosome events. In this study, species of Rineloricaria from different rivers of the Paraná drainage were studied: Rineloricaria latirostris (Laranjinha river, Cinzas basin and Barra Grande river, Ivaí basin); Rineloricaria pentamaculata (Barra Grande and Juruba rivers, Tibagi basin); and, Rineloricaria stellata and Rineloricaria capitonia (Upper Uruguai river). The aim of this study was to characterize the karyotypes of populations/species of Rineloricaria and to check what types of repetitive DNAs may be related to Robertsonian events in the genus. In R. latirostris was detected 2n = 46 chromosomes for both populations, as well as for a triploid specimen from Laranjinha river. Rineloricaria pentamaculata had 2n = 56 chromosomes to populations from Barra Grande and Juruba rivers and a karyomorph in Barra Grande river with 2n = 54 chromosomes. Rineloricaria stellata had 2n = 54 chromosomes, while R. capitonia presented 2n = 64 chromosomes, both from the Uruguai river. The results using the chromosomal markers of 18S rDNA, 5S rDNA and TTAGGGn telomeric probe showed that these repetitive DNAs participated in end to end fusions of the st/a chromosomes in the karyotype diversification of R. latirostris. Vestiges of interstitial telomeric sites (ITS) were also detected in R. pentamaculata, karyomorph of 54 chromosomes from the Barra Grande river, suggesting chromosomal fusion to the diversification of this karyotype. The wide range of 2n between R. stellata and R. capitonia is compatible to the reproductive isolation of syntopic species and the diversification of R. capitonia can be explained by centric fusions. In addition to Robertsonian rearrangements, the pericentric inversions also assisted in the diversification of karyotypic formulas among the species/populations. In situ localization analysis using the transposable element Tc1-Mariner Like probe showed no evidence of the participation of transposon in chromosomal rearrangements and dispersion of multiple sites of 5S rDNA in Rineloricaria. Furthermore, analyzes of the Tc1-Mariner Like sequences showed intense molecular degeneration, especially in transposase domains. These results indicate the absence of activity of these sequences, which must be inert or serve to other genomic functions in the genus. Thus, this study discusses the telomeric instability, repetitive DNAs and the participation of rDNA gene families in karyotype diversification events in Rineloricaria.
A família Loricariidae (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes) é extremamente diversificada morfologicamente, conta com um número próximo a 900 espécies válidas, distribuídas em sete subfamílias (Lithogeneinae, Delturinae, Neoplecostominae, Hypoptopomatinae, Loricariinae, Ancistrinae e Hypostominae). Não obstante, os estudos citogenéticos em representantes da família mostram tendências evolutivas da diversificação cariotípica bem definidas para cada uma das subfamílias, sendo considerado basal o número diploide (2n) de 54 cromossomos. Entre os representantes da subfamília Loricariinae a variação do 2n é de 36 a 74 cromossomos. Diante destes dados, os rearranjos Robertsonianos são os principais mecanismos para explicar a variação cromossômica numérica na subfamília. Rineloricaria é o gênero mais especioso de Loricariinae, com espécies apresentando 2n = 36 até 2n = 70 cromossomos. Contudo, pouco se sabe sobre quais os tipos de DNAs repetitivos originam os eventos de fissão e fusão cromossômica. Neste estudo, foram avaliadas espécies de Rineloricaria de diferentes rios do sistema hidrográfico do Paraná: Rineloricaria latirostris (rio Laranjinha, bacia do rio das Cinzas e rio Barra Grande, bacia do rio Ivaí); Rineloricaria pentamaculata (rio Barra Grande e rio Juruba, bacia do rio Tibagi); e, Rineloricaria stellata e Rineloricaria capitonia (Alto Rio Uruguai). O objetivo foi de caracterizar cariotipicamente as populações/espécies de Rineloricaria estudadas, além de verificar quais os tipos de DNAs repetitivos podem estar relacionados aos eventos Robertsonianos no gênero. Em R. latirostris foi detectado 2n = 46 cromossomos para ambas populações, além de um exemplar triploide para o rio Laranjinha. Rineloricaria pentamaculata apresentou 2n = 56 cromossomos para as populações dos rios Barra Grande e Juruba e um cariomorfo 2n = 54 cromossomos no rio Barra Grande. Rineloricaria stellata apresentou 2n = 54 cromossomos, enquanto R. capitonia detém 2n = 64 cromossomos, ambas do rio Uruguai. Os resultados com marcadores cromossômicos de rDNA 18S, rDNA 5S e sonda TTAGGGn evidenciaram que estes DNAs repetitivos participaram dos eventos de fusão terminal para terminal (end to end fusions) de cromossomos st/a na diversificação cariotípica de R. latirostris. Vestígios de sítios teloméricos intersticiais (ITS) foram evidenciados também em R. pentamaculata, cariomorfo de 54 cromossomos do rio Barra Grande, sugerindo fusão cromossômica para a diversificação deste cariótipo. A ampla variação de 2n entre R. stellata e R. capitonia é compatível para o isolamento reprodutivo das espécies sintópicas e pode ser explicado por fissões cêntricas na diversificação de R. capitonia. Além dos rearranjos Robertsonianos, as inversões pericêntricas também auxiliaram na diversificação de fórmulas cariotípicas entre as espécies/populações. A análise de localização in situ do elemento transponível Tc1-Mariner Like não mostrou evidências da participação deste transposon nos rearranjos cromossômicos e na dispersão dos sítios múltiplos de rDNA 5S em Rineloricaria. Ainda, as análises das sequências Tc1-Mariner Like evidenciaram intensa degeneração molecular, principalmente nos domínios transposase. Estes resultados indicam a ausência de atividade destas sequências, as quais devem ser inertes ou servir para outras funções genômicas no gênero. Desta forma, este estudo discute a instabilidade telomérica, DNAs repetitivos e a participação das famílias gênicas de rDNA nos eventos de diversificação cariotípica em Rineloricaria.

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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)
O mapeamento cromossômico de seqüências repetitivas de DNA tem se mostrado uma eficiente ferramenta nos estudos comparativos e evolutivos em diversos organismos. Estudos cromossômicos com besouros da subfamília Scarabaeinae têm revelado ampla variabilidade, entretanto a análise da organização cromossômica de DNAs repetitivos neste grupo é escassa e direcionada unicamente ao mapeamento do DNA ribossomal (DNAr) 18S. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar cromossomicamente DNAs repetitivos em espécies de Scarabaeinae, utilizando bandeamentos cromossômicos e mapeamento físico cromossômico de seqüências repetitivas, incluindo famílias multigênicas de RNAr 18S, RNAr 5S e histona H3 e a fração de DNA C0t-1. Ampla variabilidade foi observada relacionada ao número/localização dos sítios de DNAr 18S, aparentemente associada a diversificação da heterocromatina. Por outro lado, os genes de RNAr 5S e histona H3, mostraram-se amplamente conservados e co-localizados em um par cromossômico, com aparente intercalação. Análises em representantes de Dichotomius revelaram conservação dos blocos de heterocromatina, entretanto com aparente compartimentalização dos mesmos. O uso da fração DNA C0t-1 confirmou o enriquecimento em DNAs repetitivos da heterocromatina, que se apresentou diversificada entre as espécies, utilizando como referência D. geminatus. Por outro lado, regiões terminais dos cromossomos apresentaram-se amplamente conservadas entre as seis espécies. Além disso, a análise da fração de DNAs repetitivos em D. geminatus indicou origem intraespecífica do cromossomo B desta espécie que possivelmente pode estar sofrendo homogeneização com seqüências encontradas no complemento A. Os resultados indicam distintos padrões de diversificação para o DNA repetitivo nos representantes de Scarabaeinae, sugerindo extensiva reorganizaçãomicrogenômica ao longo
The chromosomal mapping of repeated DNAs has been used as an efficient tool in comparative and evolutionary studies in some organism. The chromosomal studies in beetles belonging to the subfamily Scarabaeinae have revealed wide variability, although the analysis of chromosomal organization of repeated DNAs in this group is scarce and directed solely for 18S rDNA mapping. The present study aimed in chromosomal characterization of repeated DNAs in Scarabaeinae species using chromosomal banding and physical chromosome mapping of repeated sequences, including the multigene families for 18S and 5S rRNAs and H3 histone genes and the C0t-1 DNA fraction. Wide variability was observed concerning the number and location of 18S rDNA sites, apparently associated to the heterochromatin diversification. On the other hand, the 5S rRNA and H3 histone genes were widely conserved and co-located in one chromosomal pair, showing apparently interspersion. Analysis in Dichotomius representatives revealed conservation for heterochromatic blocks, although an apparent compartmentalization was observed. The use of C0t-1 DNA fraction confirmed the heterochromatin repeated DNAs enrichment, which is diversified among the species, using as reference D. geminatus. On the other hand, the terminal regions of the chromosomes were highly conserved among the six species. Moreover, the analysis of repeated DNA fraction from D. geminatus indicated intraspecific origin of a B chromosome in this species that possibly could be suffering homogenization with A complement sequences. The results indicate distinct diversification patterns for repeated DNAs in Scarabaeinae representatives, suggesting extensive microgenomic reorganization along the cladogenesis of the group

Resumo: O mapeamento cromossômico de seqüências repetitivas de DNA tem se mostrado uma eficiente ferramenta nos estudos comparativos e evolutivos em diversos organismos. Estudos cromossômicos com besouros da subfamília Scarabaeinae têm revelado ampla variabilidade, entretanto a análise da organização cromossômica de DNAs repetitivos neste grupo é escassa e direcionada unicamente ao mapeamento do DNA ribossomal (DNAr) 18S. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar cromossomicamente DNAs repetitivos em espécies de Scarabaeinae, utilizando bandeamentos cromossômicos e mapeamento físico cromossômico de seqüências repetitivas, incluindo famílias multigênicas de RNAr 18S, RNAr 5S e histona H3 e a fração de DNA C0t-1. Ampla variabilidade foi observada relacionada ao número/localização dos sítios de DNAr 18S, aparentemente associada a diversificação da heterocromatina. Por outro lado, os genes de RNAr 5S e histona H3, mostraram-se amplamente conservados e co-localizados em um par cromossômico, com aparente intercalação. Análises em representantes de Dichotomius revelaram conservação dos blocos de heterocromatina, entretanto com aparente compartimentalização dos mesmos. O uso da fração DNA C0t-1 confirmou o enriquecimento em DNAs repetitivos da heterocromatina, que se apresentou diversificada entre as espécies, utilizando como referência D. geminatus. Por outro lado, regiões terminais dos cromossomos apresentaram-se amplamente conservadas entre as seis espécies. Além disso, a análise da fração de DNAs repetitivos em D. geminatus indicou origem intraespecífica do cromossomo B desta espécie que possivelmente pode estar sofrendo homogeneização com seqüências encontradas no complemento A. Os resultados indicam distintos padrões de diversificação para o DNA repetitivo nos representantes de Scarabaeinae, sugerindo extensiva reorganizaçãomicrogenômica ao longo
Abstract: The chromosomal mapping of repeated DNAs has been used as an efficient tool in comparative and evolutionary studies in some organism. The chromosomal studies in beetles belonging to the subfamily Scarabaeinae have revealed wide variability, although the analysis of chromosomal organization of repeated DNAs in this group is scarce and directed solely for 18S rDNA mapping. The present study aimed in chromosomal characterization of repeated DNAs in Scarabaeinae species using chromosomal banding and physical chromosome mapping of repeated sequences, including the multigene families for 18S and 5S rRNAs and H3 histone genes and the C0t-1 DNA fraction. Wide variability was observed concerning the number and location of 18S rDNA sites, apparently associated to the heterochromatin diversification. On the other hand, the 5S rRNA and H3 histone genes were widely conserved and co-located in one chromosomal pair, showing apparently interspersion. Analysis in Dichotomius representatives revealed conservation for heterochromatic blocks, although an apparent compartmentalization was observed. The use of C0t-1 DNA fraction confirmed the heterochromatin repeated DNAs enrichment, which is diversified among the species, using as reference D. geminatus. On the other hand, the terminal regions of the chromosomes were highly conserved among the six species. Moreover, the analysis of repeated DNA fraction from D. geminatus indicated intraspecific origin of a B chromosome in this species that possibly could be suffering homogenization with A complement sequences. The results indicate distinct diversification patterns for repeated DNAs in Scarabaeinae representatives, suggesting extensive microgenomic reorganization along the cladogenesis of the group
Orientador: Cesar Martins
Coorientador: Rita de Cássia de Moura
Banca: Marcelo dos Santos Guerra
Banca: Orlando Moreira Filho
Banca: Sanae Kasahara
Banca: Maria Cristina de Almeida
Doutor

Orientador: Patricia Pasquali Parise-Maltempi
Coorientador: Thiago Gazoni
Banca: Vanessa Bellini Bardella
Banca: Cintia Pelegrineti Targueta de Azevedo Brito
Resumo: Dados citogenéticos de Proceratophrys ainda são escassos na literatura quando comparados a alguns outros grupos de anuros, e são restritos atualmente às espécies P. boiei, P. appendiculata e P. renalis, que possuem um número diploide de 2n = 22 cromossomos e Região Organizadora de Nucléolo (RON) localizada no par 8, além de um padrão incomum de distribuição da heterocromatina constitutiva nos cromossomos de P. boiei, que apresentam grandes blocos heterocromáticos, além de um sistema de cromossomos sexuais do tipo ZZ:ZW. A maioria dos genomas eucarióticos são compostos por grandes porções de sequências de DNAs repetitivos que estão localizadas principalmente na heterocromatina altamente compactada, e em muitos casos, é um dos componentes mais abundantes dos cromossomos sexuais. Nesse sentido, o grupo dos Proceratophrys torna-se interessante alvo para análises citogenéticas juntamente com a aplicação de ferramentas moleculares e genômicas, as quais podem contribuir no entendimento da evolução e diversidade de DNAs repetitivos, e com isso explorar discussões em relação a diferenciação de cromossomos sexuais. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar citogeneticamente a espécie P. boiei, sob o ponto de vista clássico e genômico, em busca de sequências repetitivas, avaliar a presença dessas sequências e buscar entender a sua organização no genoma dessa espécie. Ainda, o trabalho teve como objetivo descrever citogeneticamente outras espécies de Proceratophrys, aumentando a amo... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: Cytogenetic data from Proceratophrys are still scarce in the literature when compared to some other groups of anurans, and are currently restricted to the species P. boiei, P. appendiculata and P. renalis, which have a diploid number of 2n = 22 chromosomes and the Nuclear Organizing Region (NOR) located in pair 8, in addition to an unusual pattern of distribution of constitutive heterochromatin in the P. boiei chromosomes, which present large heterochromatic blocks, as well as a system of ZZ:ZW sex chromosomes. Most eukaryotic genomes are composed of large portions of repetitive DNA sequences that are located primarily in highly compacted heterochromatin, and in many cases, is one of the most abundant components of sex chromosomes. In this sense, the Proceratophrys group becomes an interesting target for cytogenetic analysis along with the application of molecular and genomic tools, which may contribute to the understanding of the evolution and diversity of repetitive DNAs, and thereby explore discussions regarding the differentiation of sex chromosomes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the P. boiei species, from a classical and genomic point of view, in a search for repetitive sequences, evaluating the presence of these sequences and seeking to understand their organization in the genome of this species. In addition, the objective of this work was to describe cytogenetically other species of Proceratophrys, increasing the karyotype sample described in th... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Mestre

Despite their homology and analogous function, the Hox gene clusters of vertebrates and invertebrates are subject to different constraints on their structural organization. This is demonstrated by a drastically different distribution of repetitive DNA elements in the Hox cluster regions. While gnathostomes have a strong tendency to exclude repetitive DNA elements from the inside of their Hox clusters, no such trend can be detected in the Hox gene clusters of protostomes. Repeats “invade” the gnathostome Hox clusters from the 5′ and 3′ ends while the core of the clusters remains virtually free of repetitive DNA. This invasion appears to be correlated with relaxed constraints associated with gene loss after cluster duplications.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007.
Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-02, Section: B, page: 0822. Adviser: Gary Olsen. Includes bibliographical references. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs) are small non-autonomous and heterogeneous retrotransposons, widespread in animals and plants and usually differentially propagated in related species resulting in genome-specific copy numbers. Within the monocots, the Poaceae (sweet grasses) is the largest and economically most important plant family. The distribution of 24 Poaceae SINE (PoaS) families, five of which showing a subfamily structure, was analyzed in five important cereals (Oryza sativa, Triticum aestivum, Hordeum vulgare, Sorghum bicolor, Zea mays), the energy crop Panicum virgatum and the model grass Brachypodium distachyon. The comparative investigation of SINE abundance and sequence diversity within Poaceae species provides insights into their species‐specific diversification and amplification. The PoaS families and subfamilies fall into two length and structural categories: simple SINEs of up to 180 bp and dimeric SINEs larger than 240 bp. Of 24 PoaS families, 20 are structurally related across species, in particular either in their 5′ or 3′ regions. Hence, reshuffling between SINEs, likely caused by nested insertions of full-lengh and truncated copies, is an important evolutionary mechanism of SINE formation. Most striking, the recently evolved homodimeric SINE family PoaS‐XIV occurs exclusively in wheat (T. aestivum) and consists of two tandemly arranged PoaS‐X.1 copies. Exemplary for deciduous tree species, the evolutionary history of SINE populations was examined in six Salicaceae genomes (Populus deltoides, Populus euphratica, Populus tremula, Populus tremuloides, Populus trichocarpa, Salix purpurea). Four of eleven Salicaceae SINE (SaliS) families exhibit a subfamily organization. The SaliS families consist of two groups, differing in their phylogenetic distribution pattern, sequence similarity and 3’ end structure. These groups probably emerged at different evolutionary periods of time: during the ‘salicoid duplication’ (~ 65 million years ago) in the Salix-Populus progenitor, and during the separation of the genus Salix (~ 45 - 65 million years ago), respectively. Similar to the PoaS families, the majority of the 20 SaliS families and subfamilies share regions of sequence similarity, providing evidence for SINE emergence by reshuffling. Furthermore, they also contain an evolutionarily young dimeric SINE family (SaliS-V), amplified only in two poplar genomes. The special feature of the Salicaceae SINEs is the contrast of the conservation of 5’ start motifs across species and SINE families compared to the high variability of 3’ ends within the SINE families, differing in sequence and length, presumably resulting from mutations in the poly(A) tail as a possible route for SINE elongation. Periods of increased transpositional activity promote the dissemination of novel 3’ ends. Thereby, evolutionarily older motifs are displaced leading to various 3’ end subpopulations within the SaliS families. Opposed to the PoaS families with a largely equal ratio of poly(A) to poly(T) tail SINEs, the SaliS families are exclusively terminated by adenine stretches. Among retrotransposon-based markers, SINEs are highly suitable for the development of molecular markers due to their unidirectional insertion and random distribution mainly in euchromatic genome regions, together with an easy and fast detection of the heterogeneous SINE families. As a prerequisite for the development of SINE-derived inter-SINE amplified polymorphism (ISAP) markers, 13 novel Theaceae SINE families (TheaS-I - TheaS-VII, TheaS-VIII.1 and TheaS-VIII.2, TheaS-IX - TheaS-XIII) were identified in the angiosperm tree species Camellia japonica. Moreover, six Pinaceae SINE families (PinS-I.1 and PinS-I.2, PinS-II – PinS-VI) were detected in the gymnosperm species Larix decidua. Compared to the SaliS and PoaS families, structural relationships are less frequent within the TheaS families and absent in the PinS families. The ISAP analysis revealed the genetic identity of Europe’s oldest historical camellia (C. japonica) trees indicating their vegetative propagation from the same ancestor specimen, which was probably the first living camellia on European ground introduced to England within the 18th century. Historical sources locate the native origin of this ancestral camellia specimen either in the Chinese province Yunnan or at the Japanese Gotō Islands. Comparative ISAPs showed no accordance to the Gotō camellia sample pool and appropriate Chinese reference samples were not available. However, the initial experiments demonstrated the potential of ISAP to resolve variations among natural populations. The ISAP application on angiosperm trees also concerned fast growing Populus clones grown in short rotation coppice plantations for energy production. The species-specific P. tremula ISAP primers might also be applied for the discrimination of hybrid poplar clones involving P. tremuloides genome portions, since SINEs of these two species are highly related. However, due to lineage-specific SINE evolution during speciation, cross-species applications are generally only successful to limited extent. The analysis of poplar hybrids composed of P. maximowiczii with either P. trichocarpa or P. nigra based on P. tremula ISAP primers showed a strongly reduced resolution. In forestry, hybrid larch (e.g. Larix × eurolepis) genotypes have to be selected from the offspring of Japanese (Larix kaempferi) and European larch (Larix decidua) crosses, as they exhibit superior growth rates compared to the parental species. Initial ISAP-based examinations of European larch genotypes provided less polymorphic banding patterns, probably resulting from general high levels of synteny and collinearities reported for gymnosperm species. Hence, the ISAP was combined with the AFLP technique to the novel marker system inter-SINE-restriction site amplified polymorphism (ISRAP). The amplicons originating from genomic regions between SINEs and EcoRI cleavage sites were visualized with the sensitive capillary gel electrophoresis. The ISRAP assays, based on EcoRI adapter primers combined with two different SINE-derived primers, resulted in a sufficient number of polymorphic peaks to distinguish the L. decidua genotypes investigated. Compared to ISAPs, the ISRAP approach provides the required resolution to differentiate highly similar larch genotypes.

Retrotransposons are major components of plant genomes influencing their genome size, organization and evolution. In the frame of this work, retrotransposons of the Beta vulgaris genome have been identified by molecular methods and whole genome bioinformatics approaches. Neither belonging to the rosids nor asterids, B. vulgaris (cultivated beet including sugar beet, beet root and mangold) is taxonomically placed at a key position at the root of the core eudicots, and considerably different from traditional plant model species such as thale cress or rice. Its genome has been sequenced, and annotation is under way. In order to compare different evolutionary lineages of B. vulgaris retrotransposons, long terminal repeat (LTR) and non-LTR retrotransposon family have been analyzed in detail. Full-length members have been isolated and characterized by bioinformatics, Southern and fluorescent in situ hybridization. Hallmarks of the LTR retrotransposon family Cotzilla are an additional env-like open reading frame (ORF), homogeneity of the members and the very high abundance. Most family members are evolutionarily young, and have most likely been created during recent bursts of amplification during species radiation. In contrast, the non-LTR retrotransposon family BNR has fewer copies and is much more diverged. Although the BNR ORF2 resembles previously analyzed long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) of the L1 clade, its ORF1 sequence differs strongly. It lacks the zinc finger domain described for plant LINEs, but contains instead an RNA recognition motif (RRM) likely to have an RNA-binding function. Database searches revealed the presence of similar LINE families in higher plant genomes such as poplar, lotus and soybean. Comparing their reverse transcriptase regions with other retrotransposons, these BNR-like LINEs form a separate group of L1 LINEs designated as BNR subclade. Availability of the B. vulgaris genome sequence allowed retrotransposon analyses on a genome-wide scale. A Hidden Markov Model-based detection algorithm has been developed in order to retrieve retrotransposon information directly from the database. Nearly 6000 B. vulgaris reverse transcriptase sequences have been isolated and classified into LTR retrotransposons of the Ty3-gypsy and Ty1-copia type, and non-LTR retrotransposons of the LINE type. As a result, a comprehensive overview of the retrotransposon spectrum of the B. vulgaris genome has been generated. Since plant LINEs have been only rarely investigated, the B. vulgaris LINE composition was studied in detail. Out of 28 described LINE clades, only members of the L1 and RTE clades have been identified. Based on a minimal shared sequence identity of 60 %, they form at least 17 L1 families and one RTE family. Full-length members of all investigated L1 families have been analyzed regarding their sequence, structure and diversity. In order to transfer the algorithm tested in B. vulgaris to other angiosperm genomes, twelve additional plant genomes have been queried for LINE reverse transcriptases. Key finding is the presence of only two LINE clades (L1 and RTE) in the analyzed genomes of higher plants. Whereas plant L1 LINEs are highly diverse and form at least seven subclades with members across species borders, RTE LINEs are extremely homogenized and constitute most likely only a single family per genome. In summary, this work’s results help to gain an understanding of the different strategies of retrotransposon evolution in plants, whereas the generated data directly contributes to the B. vulgaris genome annotation project.
Retrotransposons sind eine wesentliche Komponente von Pflanzengenomen, die sowohl die Größe und Organisation als auch die Evolution dieser Genome wesentlich beeinflussen können. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurden verschiedene Gruppen von Retrotransposons des Beta vulgaris Genoms mittels molekularer und bioinformatischer Methoden identifiziert. Innerhalb der dikotyledonen Blütenpflanzen gehört B. vulgaris (kultivierte Rübe einschließlich Zuckerrübe, Roter Beete und Mangold) weder zu den Rosiden noch zu den Asteriden, sondern nimmt eine Schlüsselposition innerhalb der Kerneudikotyledonen ein. Somit zeigt das Rübengenom wesentliche Unterschiede zu traditionellen Modellpflanzen wie Arabidopsis thaliana oder Oryza sativa. Das Genom ist bereits sequenziert, die Annotation jedoch noch nicht abgeschlossen. Um verschiedene evolutionäre Linien von B. vulgaris Retrotransposons vergleichend zu untersuchen wurden insbesondere Long Terminal Repeat (LTR)- und Non-LTR-Retrotransposon-Familien detailliert analysiert. Vollständige Mitglieder wurden isoliert und mittels bioinformatischer Methoden, Southern- und Fluoreszenz-in situ-Hybridisierung untersucht. Die LTR-Retrotransposon-Familie Cotzilla ist durch einen zusätzlichen env-ähnlichen offenen Leserahmen (ORF), Homogenität ihrer Mitglieder und eine hohe Abundanz gekennzeichnet. Die meisten Cotzilla-Kopien sind evolutionär jung und wurden wahrscheinlich innerhalb eines kurzen Zeitraumes während der Artentstehung stark amplifiziert. Im Gegensatz zur Cotzilla-Familie besitzt die Non-LTR-Retrotransposon-Familie BNR weniger Kopien und ist wesentlich divergierter. Während der BNR-spezifische ORF2 starke Ähnlichkeiten zu anderen pflanzlichen Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements (LINEs) der L1-Klade aufweist, unterscheidet sich der BNR ORF1 von diesen sehr stark. Im Gegensatz zu bereits beschrieben pflanzlichen LINEs kodiert er kein Zinkfingermotiv, sondern substituiert dieses durch ein RNA-Erkennungsmotiv (RRM). Durch Datenbanksuche konnten BNR-ähnliche LINEs in den Genomen höherer Pflanzen wie Soja, Lotus und Pappel identifiziert werden. Ein Vergleich der entsprechenden Reversen Transkriptasen (RT) mit den RTs anderer Retrotransposons zeigt, dass die BNR-ähnlichen LINEs eine separate Gruppe innerhalb der L1 LINEs bilden. Diese wurde daher als BNR-Subklade definiert. Die Untersuchung von Retrotransposons auf Genomebene wurde durch die B. vulgaris Genomsequenz ermöglicht. Um Retrotransposon-Informationen direkt aus dem Genom zu extrahieren, wurde ein Hidden Markov Modell (HMM)-basierter Detektions-algorithmus entwickelt. Annähernd 6000 B. vulgaris Reverse Transkriptase-Sequenzen konnten identifiziert und in LTR-Retrotransposons des Ty3-gypsy- beziehungsweise des Ty1-copia-Typs und in Non-LTR-Retrotransposons des LINE-Typs klassifiziert werden. Somit wurde ein umfassender Überblick über die Bandbreite der B. vulgaris Retrotransposons arhalten. Da pflanzliche LINEs bisher nur wenig erforscht sind, wurde die B. vulgaris LINE Zusammensetzung genauer untersucht. Von 28 beschriebenen LINE-Kladen konnten nur Mitglieder der L1- und der RTE-Klade identifiziert werden. Basierend auf einer Identität von mindestens 60 % bilden die Sequenzen 17 L1 Familien und eine RTE Familie. Vollständige Mitglieder aller L1 Familien wurden hinsichtlich ihrer Sequenz, Struktur und Diversität analysiert. Um den in B. vulgaris getesteten HMM-basierten Algorithmus auf andere Angiospermengenome zu übertragen, wurden zwölf weitere Pflanzengenome auf das Vorhandensein von LINE-spezifischen Reversen Transkriptasen untersucht. Wesentlichstes Ergebnis ist der Nachweis von nur zwei LINE-Kladen (L1 und RTE) in höheren Pflanzen. Während pflanzliche L1 LINEs hochgradig divers sind und über Artgrenzen hinaus mindestens sieben Subkladen mit Vertretern verschiedener Pflanzen bilden, sind RTE LINEs extrem homogenisiert und stellen höchstwahrscheinlich nur eine einzelne Familie pro Genom einer Art dar. Zusammenfassend ermöglichen die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit eine Erweiterung des Verständnisses der unterschiedlichen Evolutionsstrategien von Retrotransposons in Pflanzen. Zusätzlich tragen die gewonnen Daten zur Annotation des B. vulgaris Genoms bei.