1
|
Cecalev D, Viçoso B, Galupa R. Compensation of gene dosage on the mammalian X. Development 2024; 151:dev202891. [PMID: 39140247 PMCID: PMC11361640 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Changes in gene dosage can have tremendous evolutionary potential (e.g. whole-genome duplications), but without compensatory mechanisms, they can also lead to gene dysregulation and pathologies. Sex chromosomes are a paradigmatic example of naturally occurring gene dosage differences and their compensation. In species with chromosome-based sex determination, individuals within the same population necessarily show 'natural' differences in gene dosage for the sex chromosomes. In this Review, we focus on the mammalian X chromosome and discuss recent new insights into the dosage-compensation mechanisms that evolved along with the emergence of sex chromosomes, namely X-inactivation and X-upregulation. We also discuss the evolution of the genetic loci and molecular players involved, as well as the regulatory diversity and potentially different requirements for dosage compensation across mammalian species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Cecalev
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCD) Unit, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), University of Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062, Toulouse, France
| | - Beatriz Viçoso
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| | - Rafael Galupa
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCD) Unit, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), University of Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062, Toulouse, France
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hayashi S, Abe T, Igawa T, Katsura Y, Kazama Y, Nozawa M. Sex chromosome cycle as a mechanism of stable sex determination. J Biochem 2024; 176:81-95. [PMID: 38982631 PMCID: PMC11289310 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvae045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in DNA sequencing technology have enabled the precise decoding of genomes in non-model organisms, providing a basis for unraveling the patterns and mechanisms of sex chromosome evolution. Studies of different species have yielded conflicting results regarding the traditional theory that sex chromosomes evolve from autosomes via the accumulation of deleterious mutations and degeneration of the Y (or W) chromosome. The concept of the 'sex chromosome cycle,' emerging from this context, posits that at any stage of the cycle (i.e., differentiation, degeneration, or loss), sex chromosome turnover can occur while maintaining stable sex determination. Thus, understanding the mechanisms that drive both the persistence and turnover of sex chromosomes at each stage of the cycle is crucial. In this review, we integrate recent findings on the mechanisms underlying maintenance and turnover, with a special focus on several organisms having unique sex chromosomes. Our review suggests that the diversity of sex chromosomes in the maintenance of stable sex determination is underappreciated and emphasizes the need for more research on the sex chromosome cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shun Hayashi
- Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Takuya Abe
- Division of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-4-1 Komatsushima, Aobaku, Sendai, Miyagi 981-8558, Japan
| | - Takeshi Igawa
- Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Yukako Katsura
- Center for the Evolutionary Origins of Human Behavior, Kyoto University, 41-2 Kanrin, Inuyama, Aichi 484-8506, Japan
| | - Yusuke Kazama
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Fukui Prefectural University, 4-1-1 Kenjojima, Matsuoka, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1195, Japan
| | - Masafumi Nozawa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minamiosawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
- Research Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minamiosawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Makova KD, Pickett BD, Harris RS, Hartley GA, Cechova M, Pal K, Nurk S, Yoo D, Li Q, Hebbar P, McGrath BC, Antonacci F, Aubel M, Biddanda A, Borchers M, Bornberg-Bauer E, Bouffard GG, Brooks SY, Carbone L, Carrel L, Carroll A, Chang PC, Chin CS, Cook DE, Craig SJC, de Gennaro L, Diekhans M, Dutra A, Garcia GH, Grady PGS, Green RE, Haddad D, Hallast P, Harvey WT, Hickey G, Hillis DA, Hoyt SJ, Jeong H, Kamali K, Pond SLK, LaPolice TM, Lee C, Lewis AP, Loh YHE, Masterson P, McGarvey KM, McCoy RC, Medvedev P, Miga KH, Munson KM, Pak E, Paten B, Pinto BJ, Potapova T, Rhie A, Rocha JL, Ryabov F, Ryder OA, Sacco S, Shafin K, Shepelev VA, Slon V, Solar SJ, Storer JM, Sudmant PH, Sweetalana, Sweeten A, Tassia MG, Thibaud-Nissen F, Ventura M, Wilson MA, Young AC, Zeng H, Zhang X, Szpiech ZA, Huber CD, Gerton JL, Yi SV, Schatz MC, Alexandrov IA, Koren S, O'Neill RJ, Eichler EE, Phillippy AM. The complete sequence and comparative analysis of ape sex chromosomes. Nature 2024; 630:401-411. [PMID: 38811727 PMCID: PMC11168930 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07473-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Apes possess two sex chromosomes-the male-specific Y chromosome and the X chromosome, which is present in both males and females. The Y chromosome is crucial for male reproduction, with deletions being linked to infertility1. The X chromosome is vital for reproduction and cognition2. Variation in mating patterns and brain function among apes suggests corresponding differences in their sex chromosomes. However, owing to their repetitive nature and incomplete reference assemblies, ape sex chromosomes have been challenging to study. Here, using the methodology developed for the telomere-to-telomere (T2T) human genome, we produced gapless assemblies of the X and Y chromosomes for five great apes (bonobo (Pan paniscus), chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) and Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii)) and a lesser ape (the siamang gibbon (Symphalangus syndactylus)), and untangled the intricacies of their evolution. Compared with the X chromosomes, the ape Y chromosomes vary greatly in size and have low alignability and high levels of structural rearrangements-owing to the accumulation of lineage-specific ampliconic regions, palindromes, transposable elements and satellites. Many Y chromosome genes expand in multi-copy families and some evolve under purifying selection. Thus, the Y chromosome exhibits dynamic evolution, whereas the X chromosome is more stable. Mapping short-read sequencing data to these assemblies revealed diversity and selection patterns on sex chromosomes of more than 100 individual great apes. These reference assemblies are expected to inform human evolution and conservation genetics of non-human apes, all of which are endangered species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Brandon D Pickett
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Monika Cechova
- University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Karol Pal
- Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Sergey Nurk
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - DongAhn Yoo
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Qiuhui Li
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Prajna Hebbar
- University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Erich Bornberg-Bauer
- University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- MPI for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gerard G Bouffard
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shelise Y Brooks
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lucia Carbone
- Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Hillsboro, OR, USA
| | - Laura Carrel
- Penn State University School of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Chen-Shan Chin
- Foundation of Biological Data Sciences, Belmont, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Mark Diekhans
- University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Amalia Dutra
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gage H Garcia
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Diana Haddad
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Pille Hallast
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | | | - Glenn Hickey
- University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - David A Hillis
- University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | | | - Hyeonsoo Jeong
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Charles Lee
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | | | - Yong-Hwee E Loh
- University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Patrick Masterson
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kelly M McGarvey
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Karen H Miga
- University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | | | - Evgenia Pak
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Benedict Paten
- University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Arang Rhie
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Joana L Rocha
- University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Fedor Ryabov
- Masters Program in National Research, University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Samuel Sacco
- University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Steven J Solar
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Sweetalana
- Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Alex Sweeten
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Françoise Thibaud-Nissen
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mario Ventura
- Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Alice C Young
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Xinru Zhang
- Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Soojin V Yi
- University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Sergey Koren
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Evan E Eichler
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Adam M Phillippy
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dakal TC, Dhabhai B, Pant A, Moar K, Chaudhary K, Yadav V, Ranga V, Sharma NK, Kumar A, Maurya PK, Maciaczyk J, Schmidt‐Wolf IGH, Sharma A. Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes: functions and roles in cancers. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e582. [PMID: 38827026 PMCID: PMC11141506 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer, being the most formidable ailment, has had a profound impact on the human health. The disease is primarily associated with genetic mutations that impact oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes (TSGs). Recently, growing evidence have shown that X-linked TSGs have specific role in cancer progression and metastasis as well. Interestingly, our genome harbors around substantial portion of genes that function as tumor suppressors, and the X chromosome alone harbors a considerable number of TSGs. The scenario becomes even more compelling as X-linked TSGs are adaptive to key epigenetic processes such as X chromosome inactivation. Therefore, delineating the new paradigm related to X-linked TSGs, for instance, their crosstalk with autosome and involvement in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis becomes utmost importance. Considering this, herein, we present a comprehensive discussion of X-linked TSG dysregulation in various cancers as a consequence of genetic variations and epigenetic alterations. In addition, the dynamic role of X-linked TSGs in sex chromosome-autosome crosstalk in cancer genome remodeling is being explored thoroughly. Besides, the functional roles of ncRNAs, role of X-linked TSG in immunomodulation and in gender-based cancer disparities has also been highlighted. Overall, the focal idea of the present article is to recapitulate the findings on X-linked TSG regulation in the cancer landscape and to redefine their role toward improving cancer treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tikam Chand Dakal
- Department of BiotechnologyGenome and Computational Biology LabMohanlal Sukhadia UniversityUdaipurRajasthanIndia
| | - Bhanupriya Dhabhai
- Department of BiotechnologyGenome and Computational Biology LabMohanlal Sukhadia UniversityUdaipurRajasthanIndia
| | - Anuja Pant
- Department of BiochemistryCentral University of HaryanaMahendergarhHaryanaIndia
| | - Kareena Moar
- Department of BiochemistryCentral University of HaryanaMahendergarhHaryanaIndia
| | - Kanika Chaudhary
- School of Life Sciences. Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityNew DelhiIndia
| | - Vikas Yadav
- School of Life Sciences. Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityNew DelhiIndia
| | - Vipin Ranga
- Dearptment of Agricultural BiotechnologyDBT‐NECAB, Assam Agricultural UniversityJorhatAssamIndia
| | | | - Abhishek Kumar
- Manipal Academy of Higher EducationManipalKarnatakaIndia
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology ParkBangaloreIndia
| | - Pawan Kumar Maurya
- Department of BiochemistryCentral University of HaryanaMahendergarhHaryanaIndia
| | - Jarek Maciaczyk
- Department of Stereotactic and Functional NeurosurgeryUniversity Hospital of BonnBonnGermany
| | - Ingo G. H. Schmidt‐Wolf
- Department of Integrated OncologyCenter for Integrated Oncology (CIO)University Hospital BonnBonnGermany
| | - Amit Sharma
- Department of Stereotactic and Functional NeurosurgeryUniversity Hospital of BonnBonnGermany
- Department of Integrated OncologyCenter for Integrated Oncology (CIO)University Hospital BonnBonnGermany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang N, Zhang Y. Y-chromosome Degeneration due to Speciation and Founder Effect. Acta Biotheor 2024; 72:6. [PMID: 38819710 DOI: 10.1007/s10441-024-09482-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The Y chromosome in the XY sex-determination system is often shorter than its X counterpart, a condition attributed to degeneration after Y recombination ceases. Contrary to the traditional view of continuous, gradual degeneration, our study reveals stabilization within large mating populations. In these populations, we demonstrate that both mutant and active alleles on the Y chromosome can reach equilibrium through a mutation-selection balance. However, the emergence of a new species, particularly through the founder effect, can disrupt this equilibrium. Specifically, if the male founders of a new species carry only a mutant allele for a particular Y-linked gene, this allele becomes fixed, leading to the loss of the corresponding active gene on the Y chromosome. Our findings suggest that the rate of Y-chromosome degeneration may be linked to the frequency of speciation events associated with single-male founder events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nianqin Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- Science college, Liaoning Technical University, Fuxin, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xu L, Ren Y, Wu J, Cui T, Dong R, Huang C, Feng Z, Zhang T, Yang P, Yuan J, Xu X, Liu J, Wang J, Chen W, Mi D, Irwin DM, Yan Y, Xu L, Yu X, Li G. Evolution and expression patterns of the neo-sex chromosomes of the crested ibis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1670. [PMID: 38395916 PMCID: PMC10891136 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46052-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Bird sex chromosomes play a unique role in sex-determination, and affect the sexual morphology and behavior of bird species. Core waterbirds, a major clade of birds, share the common characteristics of being sexually monomorphic and having lower levels of inter-sexual conflict, yet their sex chromosome evolution remains poorly understood. Here, by we analyse of a chromosome-level assembly of a female crested ibis (Nipponia nippon), a typical core waterbird. We identify neo-sex chromosomes resulting from fusion of microchromosomes with ancient sex chromosomes. These fusion events likely occurred following the divergence of Threskiornithidae and Ardeidae. The neo-W chromosome of the crested ibis exhibits the characteristics of slow degradation, which is reflected in its retention of abundant gametologous genes. Neo-W chromosome genes display an apparent ovary-biased gene expression, which is largely driven by genes that are retained on the crested ibis W chromosome but lost in other bird species. These results provide new insights into the evolutionary history and expression patterns for the sex chromosomes of bird species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yandong Ren
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiahong Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tingting Cui
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Rong Dong
- Research Center for Qinling Giant Panda, Shaanxi Academy of Forestry, Xi'an, China
| | - Chen Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhe Feng
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tianmin Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Peng Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiaqing Yuan
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiao Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinhong Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wu Chen
- Guangzhou Wildlife Research Center, Guangzhou Zoo, Guangzhou, China
| | - Da Mi
- Xi'an Haorui Genomics Technology Co., LTD, Xi'an, China
| | - David M Irwin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Yaping Yan
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Luohao Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Xiaoping Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Gang Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China.
- Guangzhou Wildlife Research Center, Guangzhou Zoo, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Makova KD, Pickett BD, Harris RS, Hartley GA, Cechova M, Pal K, Nurk S, Yoo D, Li Q, Hebbar P, McGrath BC, Antonacci F, Aubel M, Biddanda A, Borchers M, Bomberg E, Bouffard GG, Brooks SY, Carbone L, Carrel L, Carroll A, Chang PC, Chin CS, Cook DE, Craig SJ, de Gennaro L, Diekhans M, Dutra A, Garcia GH, Grady PG, Green RE, Haddad D, Hallast P, Harvey WT, Hickey G, Hillis DA, Hoyt SJ, Jeong H, Kamali K, Kosakovsky Pond SL, LaPolice TM, Lee C, Lewis AP, Loh YHE, Masterson P, McCoy RC, Medvedev P, Miga KH, Munson KM, Pak E, Paten B, Pinto BJ, Potapova T, Rhie A, Rocha JL, Ryabov F, Ryder OA, Sacco S, Shafin K, Shepelev VA, Slon V, Solar SJ, Storer JM, Sudmant PH, Sweetalana, Sweeten A, Tassia MG, Thibaud-Nissen F, Ventura M, Wilson MA, Young AC, Zeng H, Zhang X, Szpiech ZA, Huber CD, Gerton JL, Yi SV, Schatz MC, Alexandrov IA, Koren S, O’Neill RJ, Eichler E, Phillippy AM. The Complete Sequence and Comparative Analysis of Ape Sex Chromosomes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.30.569198. [PMID: 38077089 PMCID: PMC10705393 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.30.569198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Apes possess two sex chromosomes-the male-specific Y and the X shared by males and females. The Y chromosome is crucial for male reproduction, with deletions linked to infertility. The X chromosome carries genes vital for reproduction and cognition. Variation in mating patterns and brain function among great apes suggests corresponding differences in their sex chromosome structure and evolution. However, due to their highly repetitive nature and incomplete reference assemblies, ape sex chromosomes have been challenging to study. Here, using the state-of-the-art experimental and computational methods developed for the telomere-to-telomere (T2T) human genome, we produced gapless, complete assemblies of the X and Y chromosomes for five great apes (chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla, Bornean and Sumatran orangutans) and a lesser ape, the siamang gibbon. These assemblies completely resolved ampliconic, palindromic, and satellite sequences, including the entire centromeres, allowing us to untangle the intricacies of ape sex chromosome evolution. We found that, compared to the X, ape Y chromosomes vary greatly in size and have low alignability and high levels of structural rearrangements. This divergence on the Y arises from the accumulation of lineage-specific ampliconic regions and palindromes (which are shared more broadly among species on the X) and from the abundance of transposable elements and satellites (which have a lower representation on the X). Our analysis of Y chromosome genes revealed lineage-specific expansions of multi-copy gene families and signatures of purifying selection. In summary, the Y exhibits dynamic evolution, while the X is more stable. Finally, mapping short-read sequencing data from >100 great ape individuals revealed the patterns of diversity and selection on their sex chromosomes, demonstrating the utility of these reference assemblies for studies of great ape evolution. These complete sex chromosome assemblies are expected to further inform conservation genetics of nonhuman apes, all of which are endangered species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Brandon D. Pickett
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Monika Cechova
- University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Karol Pal
- Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Sergey Nurk
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - DongAhn Yoo
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Qiuhui Li
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Prajna Hebbar
- University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Erich Bomberg
- University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- MPI for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gerard G. Bouffard
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shelise Y. Brooks
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lucia Carbone
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Hillsboro, OR, USA
| | - Laura Carrel
- Penn State University School of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Chen-Shan Chin
- Foundation of Biological Data Sciences, Belmont, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Mark Diekhans
- University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Amalia Dutra
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gage H. Garcia
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Diana Haddad
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Pille Hallast
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | | | - Glenn Hickey
- University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - David A. Hillis
- University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | | | - Hyeonsoo Jeong
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Charles Lee
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | | | | | - Patrick Masterson
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Karen H. Miga
- University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | | | - Evgenia Pak
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Benedict Paten
- University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Arang Rhie
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Fedor Ryabov
- Masters Program in National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Samuel Sacco
- University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Steven J. Solar
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Sweetalana
- Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Alex Sweeten
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Françoise Thibaud-Nissen
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Alice C. Young
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Xinru Zhang
- Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Soojin V. Yi
- University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Sergey Koren
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Evan Eichler
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Adam M. Phillippy
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Crawford NG, McGreevy TJ, Mullen SP, Schneider CJ. The genetic basis of conspicuous coloration in the Guadeloupean anole: Evolution by sexual and ecological selection. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10266. [PMID: 37435022 PMCID: PMC10330958 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding how natural selection acts on the genome and contributes to the process of speciation is a primary aim of the study of evolution. Here we used natural variation in two subspecies of the Guadeloupean anole (Anolis marmoratus ssp.), from the island of Guadeloupe in the Lesser Antilles, to explore the genomic basis of adaptation and speciation in Anolis lizards. These subspecies inhabit distinct ecological environments and display marked differences in adult male color and pattern. We sequenced the complete genomes of 20 anoles, 10 from each subspecies, at 1.4× coverage. We used genome-wide scans of population differentiation, allele frequency spectrum, and linkage disequilibrium to characterize the genomic architecture within and between the subspecies. While most of the genome was undifferentiated, we observed five large divergent regions. Within these regions we identified blocks, 5 kb pairs in length, enriched for fixed single nucleotide polymorphisms. These blocks encompass 97 genes, two of which are candidate pigmentation genes. One is melanophilin (mlph), which helps transport melanosomes within melanocytes. The other is a cluster of differentiation 36 (cd36), which regulates carotenoid pigment sequestration. We used high-pressure liquid chromatography to confirm that carotenoid pigments are significantly more abundant in the conspicuous orange-pigmented skin of male A. m. marmoratus suggesting that cd36 may be regulating pigment deposition in this tissue. We identified for the first time a carotenoid gene that is a potential target of divergent sexual selection and may be contributing to the early stages of speciation in Anolis lizards.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas J. McGreevy
- Department of BiologyBoston UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Natural Resources ScienceUniversity of Rhode IslandKingstonRhode IslandUSA
| | - Sean P. Mullen
- Department of BiologyBoston UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Müller S, Du K, Guiguen Y, Pichler M, Nakagawa S, Stöck M, Schartl M, Lamatsch DK. Massive expansion of sex-specific SNPs, transposon-related elements, and neocentromere formation shape the young W-chromosome from the mosquitofish Gambusia affinis. BMC Biol 2023; 21:109. [PMID: 37189152 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01607-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, is a model for sex chromosome organization and evolution of female heterogamety. We previously identified a G. affinis female-specific marker, orthologous to the aminomethyl transferase (amt) gene of the related platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus). Here, we have analyzed the structure and differentiation of the G. affinis W-chromosome, using a cytogenomics and bioinformatics approach. RESULTS The long arm of the G. affinis W-chromosome (Wq) is highly enriched in dispersed repetitive sequences, but neither heterochromatic nor epigenetically silenced by hypermethylation. In line with this, Wq sequences are highly transcribed, including an active nucleolus organizing region (NOR). Female-specific SNPs and evolutionary young transposable elements were highly enriched and dispersed along the W-chromosome long arm, suggesting constrained recombination. Wq copy number expanded elements also include female-specific transcribed sequences from the amt locus with homology to TE. Collectively, the G. affinis W-chromosome is actively differentiating by sex-specific copy number expansion of transcribed TE-related elements, but not (yet) by extensive sequence divergence or gene decay. CONCLUSIONS The G. affinis W-chromosome exhibits characteristic genomic properties of an evolutionary young sex chromosome. Strikingly, the observed sex-specific changes in the genomic landscape are confined to the W long arm, which is separated from the rest of the W-chromosome by a neocentromere acquired during sex chromosome evolution and may thus have become functionally insulated. In contrast, W short arm sequences were apparently shielded from repeat-driven differentiation, retained Z-chromosome like genomic features, and may have preserved pseudo-autosomal properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Müller
- Institute of Human Genetics, Munich University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
| | - Kang Du
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | | | - Maria Pichler
- Universität Innsbruck, Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee, Mondsee, Austria
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Matthias Stöck
- Leibniz-Institute for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Berlin, Germany
- Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Manfred Schartl
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
- Developmental Biochemistry, University of Würzburg, BiozentrumWürzburg, Germany
| | - Dunja K Lamatsch
- Universität Innsbruck, Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee, Mondsee, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sultanova Z, Downing PA, Carazo P. Genetic sex determination, sex chromosome size and sex-specific lifespans across tetrapods. J Evol Biol 2023; 36:480-494. [PMID: 36537352 PMCID: PMC10107984 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Sex differences in lifespan are ubiquitous across the tree of life and exhibit broad taxonomic patterns that remain a puzzle, such as males living longer than females in birds and vice versa in mammals. The prevailing unguarded X hypothesis explains sex differences in lifespan by differential expression of recessive mutations on the X or Z chromosome of the heterogametic sex, but has only received indirect support to date. An alternative hypothesis is that the accumulation of deleterious mutations and repetitive elements on the Y or W chromosome might lower the survival of the heterogametic sex ('toxic Y' hypothesis). Here, we use a new database to report lower survival of the heterogametic relative to the homogametic sex across 136 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, as expected if sex chromosomes shape sex-specific lifespans, and consistent with previous findings. We also found that the relative sizes of both the X and the Y chromosomes in mammals (but not the Z or the W chromosomes in birds) are associated with sex differences in lifespan, as predicted by the unguarded X and the 'toxic Y'. Furthermore, we report that the relative size of the Y is negatively associated with male lifespan in mammals, so that small Y size correlates with increased male lifespan. In theory, toxic Y effects are expected to be particularly strong in mammals, and we did not find similar effects in birds. Our results confirm the role of sex chromosomes in explaining sex differences in lifespan across tetrapods and further suggest that, at least in mammals, 'toxic Y' effects may play an important part in this role.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahida Sultanova
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Philip A Downing
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Pau Carazo
- Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Pensabene E, Yurchenko A, Kratochvíl L, Rovatsos M. Madagascar Leaf-Tail Geckos ( Uroplatus spp.) Share Independently Evolved Differentiated ZZ/ZW Sex Chromosomes. Cells 2023; 12:cells12020260. [PMID: 36672195 PMCID: PMC9856856 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Geckos are an excellent group to study the evolution of sex determination, as they possess a remarkable variability ranging from a complete absence of sex chromosomes to highly differentiated sex chromosomes. We explored sex determination in the Madagascar leaf-tail geckos of the genus Uroplatus. The cytogenetic analyses revealed highly heterochromatic W chromosomes in all three examined species (Uroplatus henkeli, U. alluaudi, U. sikorae). The comparative gene coverage analysis between sexes in U. henkeli uncovered an extensive Z-specific region, with a gene content shared with the chicken chromosomes 8, 20, 26 and 28. The genomic region homologous to chicken chromosome 28 has been independently co-opted for the role of sex chromosomes in several vertebrate lineages, including monitors, beaded lizards and monotremes, perhaps because it contains the amh gene, whose homologs were repeatedly recruited as a sex-determining locus. We demonstrate that all tested species of leaf-tail geckos share homologous sex chromosomes despite the differences in shape and size of their W chromosomes, which are not homologous to the sex chromosomes of other closely related genera. The rather old (at least 40 million years), highly differentiated sex chromosomes of Uroplatus geckos can serve as a great system to study the convergence of sex chromosomes evolved from the same genomic region.
Collapse
|
12
|
Carver JJ, Zhu Y. Metzincin metalloproteases in PGC migration and gonadal sex conversion. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 330:114137. [PMID: 36191636 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Development of a functional gonad includes migration of primordial germ cells (PGCs), differentiations of somatic and germ cells, formation of primary follicles or spermatogenic cysts with somatic gonadal cells, development and maturation of gametes, and subsequent releasing of mature germ cells. These processes require extensive cellular and tissue remodeling, as well as broad alterations of the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). Metalloproteases, including MMPs (matrix metalloproteases), ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloproteinases), and ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs), are suggested to have critical roles in the remodeling of the ECM during gonad development. However, few research articles and reviews are available on the functions and mechanisms of metalloproteases in remodeling gonadal ECM, gonadal development, or gonadal differentiation. Moreover, most studies focused on the roles of transcription and growth factors in early gonad development and primary sex determination, leaving a significant knowledge gap on how differentially expressed metalloproteases exert effects on the ECM, cell migration, development, and survival of germ cells during the development and differentiation of ovaries or testes. We will review gonad development with focus on the evidence of metalloprotease involvements, and with an emphasis on zebrafish as a model for studying gonadal sex differentiation and metalloprotease functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J Carver
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Yong Zhu
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Id-Lahoucine S, Casellas J, Fonseca PAS, Suárez-Vega A, Schenkel FS, Cánovas A. Deviations from Mendelian Inheritance on Bovine X-Chromosome Revealing Recombination, Sex-of-Offspring Effects and Fertility-Related Candidate Genes. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13122322. [PMID: 36553588 PMCID: PMC9778079 DOI: 10.3390/genes13122322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmission ratio distortion (TRD), or significant deviations from Mendelian inheritance, is a well-studied phenomenon on autosomal chromosomes, but has not yet received attention on sex chromosomes. TRD was analyzed on 3832 heterosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 400 pseudoautosomal SNPs spanning the length of the X-chromosome using 436,651 genotyped Holstein cattle. On the pseudoautosomal region, an opposite sire-TRD pattern between male and female offspring was identified for 149 SNPs. This finding revealed unique SNPs linked to a specific-sex (Y- or X-) chromosome and describes the accumulation of recombination events across the pseudoautosomal region. On the heterosomal region, 13 SNPs and 69 haplotype windows were identified with dam-TRD. Functional analyses for TRD regions highlighted relevant biological functions responsible to regulate spermatogenesis, development of Sertoli cells, homeostasis of endometrium tissue and embryonic development. This study uncovered the prevalence of different TRD patterns across both heterosomal and pseudoautosomal regions of the X-chromosome and revealed functional candidate genes for bovine reproduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samir Id-Lahoucine
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Joaquim Casellas
- Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo A. S. Fonseca
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Aroa Suárez-Vega
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Flavio S. Schenkel
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Angela Cánovas
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Rovatsos M, Galoyan E, Spangenberg V, Vassilieva A, Kratochvíl L. XX
/
XY
sex chromosomes in a blind lizard (Dibamidae): Towards understanding the evolution of sex determination in squamates. J Evol Biol 2022; 35:1791-1796. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michail Rovatsos
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science Charles University in Prague Praha 2 Czech Republic
| | - Eduard Galoyan
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow Russia
- Joint Russian‐Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technological Centre Hanoi Vietnam
- Zoological museum of Moscow State University Moscow State Regional University Mytishchi Russia
| | - Victor Spangenberg
- Zoological museum of Moscow State University Moscow State Regional University Mytishchi Russia
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow Russia
- Moscow State Regional University Mytishchi Russia
| | - Anna Vassilieva
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow Russia
- Joint Russian‐Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technological Centre Hanoi Vietnam
| | - Lukáš Kratochvíl
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science Charles University in Prague Praha 2 Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ma W, Rovatsos M. Sex chromosome evolution: The remarkable diversity in the evolutionary rates and mechanisms. J Evol Biol 2022; 35:1581-1588. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wen‐Juan Ma
- Department of Molecular Biosciences University of Kansas Lawrence Kansas USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Castaneda C, Radović L, Felkel S, Juras R, Davis BW, Cothran EG, Wallner B, Raudsepp T. Copy number variation of horse Y chromosome genes in normal equine populations and in horses with abnormal sex development and subfertility: relationship of copy number variations with Y haplogroups. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:jkac278. [PMID: 36227030 PMCID: PMC9713435 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Structural rearrangements like copy number variations in the male-specific Y chromosome have been associated with male fertility phenotypes in human and mouse but have been sparsely studied in other mammalian species. Here, we designed digital droplet PCR assays for 7 horse male-specific Y chromosome multicopy genes and SRY and evaluated their absolute copy numbers in 209 normal male horses of 22 breeds, 73 XY horses with disorders of sex development and/or infertility, 5 Przewalski's horses and 2 kulans. This established baseline copy number for these genes in horses. The TSPY gene showed the highest copy number and was the most copy number variable between individuals and breeds. SRY was a single-copy gene in most horses but had 2-3 copies in some indigenous breeds. Since SRY is flanked by 2 copies of RBMY, their copy number variations were interrelated and may lead to SRY-negative XY disorders of sex development. The Przewalski's horse and kulan had 1 copy of SRY and RBMY. TSPY and ETSTY2 showed significant copy number variations between cryptorchid and normal males (P < 0.05). No significant copy number variations were observed in subfertile/infertile males. Notably, copy number of TSPY and ETSTY5 differed between successive male generations and between cloned horses, indicating germline and somatic mechanisms for copy number variations. We observed no correlation between male-specific Y chromosome gene copy number variations and male-specific Y chromosome haplotypes. We conclude that the ampliconic male-specific Y chromosome reference assembly has deficiencies and further studies with an improved male-specific Y chromosome assembly are needed to determine selective constraints over horse male-specific Y chromosome gene copy number and their relation to stallion reproduction and male biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Castaneda
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 7784-4458, USA
| | - Lara Radović
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna 1210, Austria
- Vienna Graduate School of Population Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Sabine Felkel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna 1210, Austria
- Vienna Graduate School of Population Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna 1210, Austria
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Computational Biology, BOKU University of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Vienna 1190, Austria
| | - Rytis Juras
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 7784-4458, USA
| | - Brian W Davis
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 7784-4458, USA
| | - Ernest Gus Cothran
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 7784-4458, USA
| | - Barbara Wallner
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Terje Raudsepp
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 7784-4458, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Gong G, Xiong Y, Xiao S, Li XY, Huang P, Liao Q, Han Q, Lin Q, Dan C, Zhou L, Ren F, Zhou Q, Gui JF, Mei J. Origin and chromatin remodeling of young X/Y sex chromosomes in catfish with sexual plasticity. Natl Sci Rev 2022; 10:nwac239. [PMID: 36846302 PMCID: PMC9945428 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwac239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Assembly of a complete Y chromosome is a significant challenge in animals with an XX/XY sex-determination system. Recently, we created YY-supermale yellow catfish by crossing XY males with sex-reversed XY females, providing a valuable model for Y-chromosome assembly and evolution. Here, we assembled highly homomorphic Y and X chromosomes by sequencing genomes of the YY supermale and XX female in yellow catfish, revealing their nucleotide divergences with only less than 1% and with the same gene compositions. The sex-determining region (SDR) was identified to locate within a physical distance of 0.3 Mb by FST scanning. Strikingly, the incipient sex chromosomes were revealed to originate via autosome-autosome fusion and were characterized by a highly rearranged region with an SDR downstream of the fusion site. We found that the Y chromosome was at a very early stage of differentiation, as no clear evidence of evolutionary strata and classical structure features of recombination suppression for a rather late stage of Y-chromosome evolution were observed. Significantly, a number of sex-antagonistic mutations and the accumulation of repetitive elements were discovered in the SDR, which might be the main driver of the initial establishment of recombination suppression between young X and Y chromosomes. Moreover, distinct three-dimensional chromatin organizations of the Y and X chromosomes were identified in the YY supermales and XX females, as the X chromosome exhibited denser chromatin structure than the Y chromosome, while they respectively have significantly spatial interactions with female- and male-related genes compared with other autosomes. The chromatin configuration of the sex chromosomes as well as the nucleus spatial organization of the XX neomale were remodeled after sex reversal and similar to those in YY supermales, and a male-specific loop containing the SDR was found in the open chromatin region. Our results elucidate the origin of young sex chromosomes and the chromatin remodeling configuration in the catfish sexual plasticity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaorui Gong
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yang Xiong
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Shijun Xiao
- Jiaxing Key Laboratory for New Germplasm Breeding of Economic Mycology, Jiaxing 314000, China
| | - Xi-Yin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Peipei Huang
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China,School of Animal Science and Nutritional Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Qian Liao
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Qingqing Han
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Qiaohong Lin
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China,State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Cheng Dan
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Li Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Fan Ren
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | | | - Jie Mei
- Corresponding author. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Lyu Q, Yang Q, Hao J, Yue Y, Wang X, Tian J, An L. A small proportion of X-linked genes contribute to X chromosome upregulation in early embryos via BRD4-mediated transcriptional activation. Curr Biol 2022; 32:4397-4410.e5. [PMID: 36108637 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.08.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Females have two X chromosomes and males have only one in most mammals. X chromosome inactivation (XCI) occurs in females to equalize X-dosage between sexes. Besides, mammals also balance the dosage between X chromosomes and autosomes via X chromosome upregulation (XCU) to fine-tune X-linked expression and thus maintain genomic homeostasis. Despite some studies highlighting the importance of XCU in somatic cells, little is known about how XCU is achieved and its developmental role during early embryogenesis. Herein, using mouse preimplantation embryos as the model, we reported that XCU initially occurs upon major zygotic genome activation and co-regulates X-linked expression in cooperation with imprinted XCI during preimplantation development. An in-depth analysis further indicated, unexpectedly, only a small proportion of, but not X chromosome-wide, X-linked genes contribute greatly to XCU. Furthermore, we identified that bromodomain containing 4 (BRD4) plays a key role in the transcription activation of XCU during preimplantation development. BRD4 deficiency or inhibition caused an impaired XCU, thus leading to reduced developmental potential and mitochondrial dysfunctions of blastocysts. Our finding was also supported by the tight association of BRD4 dysregulation and XCU disruption in the pathology of cholangiocarcinoma. Thus, our results not only advanced the current knowledge of X-dosage compensation and provided a mechanism for understanding XCU initiation but also presented an important clue for understanding the developmental and pathological role of XCU.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingji Lyu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Qianying Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Jia Hao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Yue
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Jianhui Tian
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Lei An
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Cabrera Zapata LE, Garcia-Segura LM, Cambiasso MJ, Arevalo MA. Genetics and Epigenetics of the X and Y Chromosomes in the Sexual Differentiation of the Brain. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012288. [PMID: 36293143 PMCID: PMC9603441 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
For many decades to date, neuroendocrinologists have delved into the key contribution of gonadal hormones to the generation of sex differences in the developing brain and the expression of sex-specific physiological and behavioral phenotypes in adulthood. However, it was not until recent years that the role of sex chromosomes in the matter started to be seriously explored and unveiled beyond gonadal determination. Now we know that the divergent evolutionary process suffered by X and Y chromosomes has determined that they now encode mostly dissimilar genetic information and are subject to different epigenetic regulations, characteristics that together contribute to generate sex differences between XX and XY cells/individuals from the zygote throughout life. Here we will review and discuss relevant data showing how particular X- and Y-linked genes and epigenetic mechanisms controlling their expression and inheritance are involved, along with or independently of gonadal hormones, in the generation of sex differences in the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas E. Cabrera Zapata
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra (INIMEC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5016, Argentina
- Instituto Cajal (IC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - María Julia Cambiasso
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra (INIMEC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5016, Argentina
- Cátedra de Biología Celular, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
- Correspondence: (M.J.C.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Maria Angeles Arevalo
- Instituto Cajal (IC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28002 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.J.C.); (M.A.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Comprehensive cytogenetic analysis of the most chromosomally variable mammalian genus from South America: Ctenomys (Rodentia: Caviomorpha: Ctenomyidae). Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00312-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
21
|
Abstract
Understanding sex differences in physiology and disease requires the identification of the molecular agents that cause phenotypic sex differences. Two groups of such agents are genes located on the sex chromosomes, and gonadal hormones. The former have coherent linkage to chromosomes that form differently in the two sexes under the influence of genomic forces that are not related to reproductive function, whereas the latter have a direct or indirect relationship to reproduction. Evidence published in the past 5 years supports the identification of several agents of sexual differentiation encoded by the X chromosome in mice, including Kdm5c, Kdm6a, Ogt and Xist. These X chromosome agents have wide pleiotropic effects, potentially influencing sex differences in many different tissues, a characteristic shared with the gonadal hormones. The identification of X chromosome agents of sexual differentiation will facilitate understanding of complex intersecting gene pathways underlying sex differences in disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arthur P Arnold
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Cauret CMS, Mortimer SME, Roberti MC, Ashman TL, Liston A. Chromosome-scale assembly with a phased sex-determining region resolves features of early Z and W chromosome differentiation in a wild octoploid strawberry. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:6603112. [PMID: 35666193 PMCID: PMC9339316 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
When sex chromosomes stop recombining, they start to accumulate differences. The sex-limited chromosome (Y or W) especially is expected to degenerate via the loss of nucleotide sequence and the accumulation of repetitive sequences. However, how early signs of degeneration can be detected in a new sex chromosome is still unclear. The sex-determining region of the octoploid strawberries is young, small, and dynamic. Using PacBio HiFi reads, we obtained a chromosome-scale assembly of a female (ZW) Fragaria chiloensis plant carrying the youngest and largest of the known sex-determining region on the W in strawberries. We fully characterized the previously incomplete sex-determining region, confirming its gene content, genomic location, and evolutionary history. Resolution of gaps in the previous characterization of the sex-determining region added 10 kb of sequence including a noncanonical long terminal repeat-retrotransposon; whereas the Z sequence revealed a Harbinger transposable element adjoining the sex-determining region insertion site. Limited genetic differentiation of the sex chromosomes coupled with structural variation may indicate an early stage of W degeneration. The sex chromosomes have a similar percentage of repeats but differ in their repeat distribution. Differences in the pattern of repeats (transposable element polymorphism) apparently precede sex chromosome differentiation, thus potentially contributing to recombination cessation as opposed to being a consequence of it.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M S Cauret
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Sebastian M E Mortimer
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Marcelina C Roberti
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Tia-Lynn Ashman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Aaron Liston
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Schield DR, Perry BW, Card DC, Pasquesi GIM, Westfall AK, Mackessy SP, Castoe TA. The rattlesnake W chromosome: A GC-rich retroelement refugium with retained gene function across ancient evolutionary strata. Genome Biol Evol 2022; 14:6648526. [PMID: 35867356 PMCID: PMC9447483 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evac116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex chromosomes diverge after the establishment of recombination suppression, resulting in differential sex-linkage of genes involved in genetic sex determination and dimorphic traits. This process produces systems of male or female heterogamety wherein the Y and W chromosomes are only present in one sex and are often highly degenerated. Sex-limited Y and W chromosomes contain valuable information about the evolutionary transition from autosomes to sex chromosomes, yet detailed characterizations of the structure, composition, and gene content of sex-limited chromosomes are lacking for many species. In this study, we characterize the female-specific W chromosome of the prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) and evaluate how recombination suppression and other processes have shaped sex chromosome evolution in ZW snakes. Our analyses indicate that the rattlesnake W chromosome is over 80% repetitive and that an abundance of GC-rich mdg4 elements has driven an overall high degree of GC-richness despite a lack of recombination. The W chromosome is also highly enriched for repeat sequences derived from endogenous retroviruses and likely acts as a “refugium” for these and other retroelements. We annotated 219 putatively functional W-linked genes across at least two evolutionary strata identified based on estimates of sequence divergence between Z and W gametologs. The youngest of these strata is relatively gene-rich, however gene expression across strata suggests retained gene function amidst a greater degree of degeneration following ancient recombination suppression. Functional annotation of W-linked genes indicates a specialization of the W chromosome for reproductive and developmental function since recombination suppression from the Z chromosome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Drew R Schield
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Blair W Perry
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA.,School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Daren C Card
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Giulia I M Pasquesi
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Aundrea K Westfall
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Stephen P Mackessy
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA
| | - Todd A Castoe
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Cīrulis A, Hansson B, Abbott JK. Sex-limited chromosomes and non-reproductive traits. BMC Biol 2022; 20:156. [PMID: 35794589 PMCID: PMC9261002 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01357-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex chromosomes are typically viewed as having originated from a pair of autosomes, and differentiated as the sex-limited chromosome (e.g. Y) has degenerated by losing most genes through cessation of recombination. While often thought that degenerated sex-limited chromosomes primarily affect traits involved in sex determination and sex cell production, accumulating evidence suggests they also influence traits not sex-limited or directly involved in reproduction. Here, we provide an overview of the effects of sex-limited chromosomes on non-reproductive traits in XY, ZW or UV sex determination systems, and discuss evolutionary processes maintaining variation at sex-limited chromosomes and molecular mechanisms affecting non-reproductive traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aivars Cīrulis
- Department of Biology, Lund University, 223 62, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Bengt Hansson
- Department of Biology, Lund University, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Käfer J. How sex chromosomes get trapped into nonrecombination. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001718. [PMID: 35882230 PMCID: PMC9295974 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Suppression of recombination along the Y chromosome leads to its degeneration, so why does a process with such potentially deleterious consequences arise? In this issue of PLOS Biology, a new model reveals how and why this might be.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jos Käfer
- Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive UMR 5558, Villeurbanne, France
- Université de Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, UMR Diversité Adaptation et Développement des plantes, Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Maldonado JA, Firneno TJ, Hall AS, Fujita MK. Parthenogenesis doubles the rate of amino acid substitution in whiptail mitochondria. Evolution 2022; 76:1434-1442. [PMID: 35580923 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction is ubiquitous in the natural world, suggesting that sex must have extensive benefits to overcome the cost of males compared to asexual reproduction. One hypothesized advantage of sex with strong theoretical support is that sex plays a role in removing deleterious mutations from the genome. Theory predicts that transitions to asexuality should lead to the suppression of recombination and segregation and, in turn, weakened natural selection, allowing for the accumulation of slightly deleterious mutations. We tested this prediction by estimating the dN/dS ratios in asexual vertebrate lineages in the genus Aspidoscelis using whole mitochondrial genomes from seven asexual and five sexual species. We found higher dN/dS ratios in asexual Aspidoscelis species, indicating that asexual whiptails accumulate nonsynonymous substitutions due to weaker purifying selection. Additionally, we estimated nucleotide diversity and found that asexuals harbor significantly less diversity. Thus, despite their recent origins, slightly deleterious mutations accumulated rapidly enough in asexual lineages to be detected. We provide empirical evidence to corroborate the connection between asexuality and increased amino acid substitutions in asexual vertebrate lineages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose A Maldonado
- Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center, Department of Biology, The University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Thomas J Firneno
- Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center, Department of Biology, The University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Alexander S Hall
- Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center, Department of Biology, The University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Matthew K Fujita
- Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center, Department of Biology, The University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Steinberg ER, Bressa MJ, Mudry MD. Sex chromosome systems in Neotropical Primates: What have we learnt so far from cytogenetics and genomics? J Evol Biol 2022; 35:1589-1600. [PMID: 35731796 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Neotropical Primates (Platyrrhini) show great diversity in their life histories, ecology, behaviour and genetics. This diversity extends to their chromosome complements, both to autosomes and to sex chromosomes. In this contribution, we will review what is currently known about sex chromosomes in this group, both from cytogenetic and from genomic evidence. The X and Y chromosomes in Neotropical Primates, also known as New World Monkeys, have striking structural differences compared with Old World Monkeys when Catarrhini sex chromosomes are considered. The XY bivalent displays a different meiotic behaviour in prophase I, and their Y chromosome shows extensive genomic differences. Even though the most widespread sex chromosome system is the XX/XY and thus considered the ancestral one for Platyrrhini, modifications of this sexual system are observed within this group. Multiple sex chromosome systems originated from Y-autosome translocations were described in several genera (Aotus, Callimico and Alouatta). In the howler monkeys, genus Alouatta, an independent origin of the sexual systems in South American and Mesoamerican species was postulated. All the above-mentioned evidence suggests that the Y chromosome of Platyrrhini has a different evolutionary history compared with the Catarrhini Y. There is still much to understand regarding their sex chromosome systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eliana Ruth Steinberg
- Grupo de Investigación en Biología Evolutiva (GIBE). Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (EGE), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María José Bressa
- Grupo de Citogenética de Insectos. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (EGE), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marta Dolores Mudry
- Grupo de Investigación en Biología Evolutiva (GIBE). Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (EGE), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Arnold AP. Integrating Sex Chromosome and Endocrine Theories to Improve Teaching of Sexual Differentiation. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2022; 14:a039057. [PMID: 35667790 PMCID: PMC9438782 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a039057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Major sex differences in mammalian tissues are functionally tied to reproduction and evolved as adaptations to meet different reproductive needs of females and males. They were thus directly controlled by gonadal hormones. Factors encoded on the sex chromosomes also cause many sex differences in diverse tissues because they are present in different doses in XX and XY cells. The sex chromosome effects likely evolved not because of demands of reproduction, but as side effects of genomic forces that adaptively reduced sexual inequality. Sex-specific effects of particular factors, including gonadal hormones, therefore, are not necessarily explained as adaptations for reproduction, but also as potential factors offsetting, rather than producing, sex differences. The incorporation of these concepts would improve future teaching about sexual differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arthur P Arnold
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-7239, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Li XY, Mei J, Ge CT, Liu XL, Gui JF. Sex determination mechanisms and sex control approaches in aquaculture animals. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2022; 65:1091-1122. [PMID: 35583710 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-021-2075-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Aquaculture is one of the most efficient modes of animal protein production and plays an important role in global food security. Aquaculture animals exhibit extraordinarily diverse sexual phenotypes and underlying mechanisms, providing an ideal system to perform sex determination research, one of the important areas in life science. Moreover, sex is also one of the most valuable traits because sexual dimorphism in growth, size, and other economic characteristics commonly exist in aquaculture animals. Here, we synthesize current knowledge of sex determination mechanisms, sex chromosome evolution, reproduction strategies, and sexual dimorphism, and also review several approaches for sex control in aquaculture animals, including artificial gynogenesis, application of sex-specific or sex chromosome-linked markers, artificial sex reversal, as well as gene editing. We anticipate that better understanding of sex determination mechanisms and innovation of sex control approaches will facilitate sustainable development of aquaculture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Yin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Jie Mei
- College of Fisheries, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Chu-Tian Ge
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, 315100, China
| | - Xiao-Li Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, 510380, China
| | - Jian-Fang Gui
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Oliveira da Silva W, Rosa CC, Ferguson-Smith MA, O'Brien PCM, Saldanha J, Rossi RV, Pieczarka JC, Nagamachi CY. The emergence of a new sex-system (XX/XY 1Y 2) suggests a species complex in the "monotypic" rodent Oecomys auyantepui (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae). Sci Rep 2022; 12:8690. [PMID: 35610291 PMCID: PMC9130129 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12706-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
X-autosome translocation (XY1Y2) has been reported in distinct groups of vertebrates suggesting that the rise of a multiple sex system within a species may act as a reproductive barrier and lead to speciation. The viability of this system has been linked with repetitive sequences located between sex and autosomal portions of the translocation. Herein, we investigate Oecomys auyantepui, using chromosome banding and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization with telomeric and Hylaeamys megacephalus whole-chromosome probes, and phylogenetic reconstruction using mtDNA and nuDNA sequences. We describe an amended karyotype for O. auyantepui (2n = 64♀65♂/FNa = 84) and report for the first time a multiple sex system (XX/XY1Y2) in Oryzomyini rodents. Molecular data recovered O. auyantepui as a monophyletic taxon with high support and cytogenetic data indicate that O. auyantepui may exist in two lineages recognized by distinct sex systems. The Neo-X exhibits repetitive sequences located between sex and autosomal portions, which would act as a boundary between these two segments. The G-banding comparisons of the Neo-X chromosomes of other Sigmodontinae taxa revealed a similar banding pattern, suggesting that the autosomal segment in the Neo-X can be shared among the Sigmodontinae lineages with a XY1Y2 sex system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Willam Oliveira da Silva
- Laboratório de Citogenética, Centro de Estudos Avançados da Biodiversidade, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Celina Coelho Rosa
- Laboratório de Citogenética, Centro de Estudos Avançados da Biodiversidade, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Malcolm Andrew Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Cambridge Resource Centre for Comparative Genomics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Patricia Caroline Mary O'Brien
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Cambridge Resource Centre for Comparative Genomics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Juliane Saldanha
- Departamento de Biologia e Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso (UFMT), Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Rogério Vieira Rossi
- Departamento de Biologia e Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso (UFMT), Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Julio Cesar Pieczarka
- Laboratório de Citogenética, Centro de Estudos Avançados da Biodiversidade, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Cleusa Yoshiko Nagamachi
- Laboratório de Citogenética, Centro de Estudos Avançados da Biodiversidade, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Kotov AA, Bazylev SS, Adashev VE, Shatskikh AS, Olenina LV. Drosophila as a Model System for Studying of the Evolution and Functional Specialization of the Y Chromosome. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:4184. [PMID: 35457001 PMCID: PMC9031259 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Y chromosome is one of the sex chromosomes found in males of animals of different taxa, including insects and mammals. Among all chromosomes, the Y chromosome is characterized by a unique chromatin landscape undergoing dynamic evolutionary change. Being entirely heterochromatic, the Y chromosome as a rule preserves few functional genes, but is enriched in tandem repeats and transposons. Due to difficulties in the assembly of the highly repetitive Y chromosome sequence, deep analyses of Y chromosome evolution, structure, and functions are limited to a few species, one of them being Drosophila melanogaster. Despite Y chromosomes exhibiting high structural divergence between even closely related species, Y-linked genes have evolved convergently and are mainly associated with spermatogenesis-related activities. This indicates that male-specific selection is a dominant force shaping evolution of Y chromosomes across species. This review presents our analysis of current knowledge concerning Y chromosome functions, focusing on recent findings in Drosophila. Here we dissect the experimental and bioinformatics data about the Y chromosome accumulated to date in Drosophila species, providing comparative analysis with mammals, and discussing the relevance of our analysis to a wide range of eukaryotic organisms, including humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ludmila V. Olenina
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute», 123182 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.K.); (S.S.B.); (V.E.A.); (A.S.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Deon GA, Glugoski L, Sassi FDMC, Hatanaka T, Nogaroto V, Bertollo LAC, Liehr T, Al-Rikabi A, Moreira-Filho O, Cioffi MDB, Vicari MR. Chromosomal Rearrangements and Origin of the Multiple XX/XY 1Y 2 Sex Chromosome System in Harttia Species (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Front Genet 2022; 13:877522. [PMID: 35386289 PMCID: PMC8977651 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.877522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Neotropical genus Harttia comprises species with extensive chromosomal remodeling and distinct sex chromosome systems (SCSs). So far, three different SCSs with male heterogamety have been characterized in the group. In some species, the presence of the XX/XY1Y2 SCS is associated with a decrease in diploid numbers and several chromosomal rearrangements, although a direct relation to sex chromosome differentiation has not been shown yet. Here, we aimed to investigate the differentiation processes that have led to the establishment of the rare XX/XY1Y2 SCS and track its evolutionary history among other Harttia species. For that, four whole chromosome painting probes derived from chromosome 1 of H. torrenticola (HTO-1), chromosomes 9 and X of H. carvalhoi (HCA-9 and HCA-X), and chromosome X from H. intermontana (HIN-X) were applied in nine Harttia species. Homeologous chromosome blocks were located in Harttia species and demonstrated that Robertsonian (Rb) fusions originated HTO-1, HCA-9, and HCA-X chromosomes, while Rb fissions explain Y1 and Y2 sex chromosomes. Specifically, in H. intermontana, HCA-X, HCA-9, and the NOR-bearing chromosome demonstrated that homeologous blocks were used in the HIN-X and metacentric pair 2 origins. Consequently, diploid numbers changed between the studied species. Overall, the data also reinforce the existence of unstable genomic sites promoting chromosomal differentiation and remodeling within the genus Harttia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geize Aparecida Deon
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.,Departamento de Biologia Estrutural, Molecular e Genética, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Larissa Glugoski
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.,Departamento de Biologia Estrutural, Molecular e Genética, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - Terumi Hatanaka
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Viviane Nogaroto
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural, Molecular e Genética, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - Thomas Liehr
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Ahmed Al-Rikabi
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Orlando Moreira-Filho
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Ricardo Vicari
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural, Molecular e Genética, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Foe VE. Does the Pachytene Checkpoint, a Feature of Meiosis, Filter Out Mistakes in Double-Strand DNA Break Repair and as a side-Effect Strongly Promote Adaptive Speciation? Integr Org Biol 2022; 4:obac008. [PMID: 36827645 PMCID: PMC8998493 DOI: 10.1093/iob/obac008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This essay aims to explain two biological puzzles: why eukaryotic transcription units are composed of short segments of coding DNA interspersed with long stretches of non-coding (intron) DNA, and the near ubiquity of sexual reproduction. As is well known, alternative splicing of its coding sequences enables one transcription unit to produce multiple variants of each encoded protein. Additionally, padding transcription units with non-coding DNA (often many thousands of base pairs long) provides a readily evolvable way to set how soon in a cell cycle the various mRNAs will begin being expressed and the total amount of mRNA that each transcription unit can make during a cell cycle. This regulation complements control via the transcriptional promoter and facilitates the creation of complex eukaryotic cell types, tissues, and organisms. However, it also makes eukaryotes exceedingly vulnerable to double-strand DNA breaks, which end-joining break repair pathways can repair incorrectly. Transcription units cover such a large fraction of the genome that any mis-repair producing a reorganized chromosome has a high probability of destroying a gene. During meiosis, the synaptonemal complex aligns homologous chromosome pairs and the pachytene checkpoint detects, selectively arrests, and in many organisms actively destroys gamete-producing cells with chromosomes that cannot adequately synapse; this creates a filter favoring transmission to the next generation of chromosomes that retain the parental organization, while selectively culling those with interrupted transcription units. This same meiotic checkpoint, reacting to accidental chromosomal reorganizations inflicted by error-prone break repair, can, as a side effect, provide a mechanism for the formation of new species in sympatry. It has been a long-standing puzzle how something as seemingly maladaptive as hybrid sterility between such new species can arise. I suggest that this paradox is resolved by understanding the adaptive importance of the pachytene checkpoint, as outlined above.
Collapse
|
34
|
Lentini A, Cheng H, Noble JC, Papanicolaou N, Coucoravas C, Andrews N, Deng Q, Enge M, Reinius B. Elastic dosage compensation by X-chromosome upregulation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1854. [PMID: 35388014 PMCID: PMC8987076 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29414-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
X-chromosome inactivation and X-upregulation are the fundamental modes of chromosome-wide gene regulation that collectively achieve dosage compensation in mammals, but the regulatory link between the two remains elusive and the X-upregulation dynamics are unknown. Here, we use allele-resolved single-cell RNA-seq combined with chromatin accessibility profiling and finely dissect their separate effects on RNA levels during mouse development. Surprisingly, we uncover that X-upregulation elastically tunes expression dosage in a sex- and lineage-specific manner, and moreover along varying degrees of X-inactivation progression. Male blastomeres achieve X-upregulation upon zygotic genome activation while females experience two distinct waves of upregulation, upon imprinted and random X-inactivation; and ablation of Xist impedes female X-upregulation. Female cells carrying two active X chromosomes lack upregulation, yet their collective RNA output exceeds that of a single hyperactive allele. Importantly, this conflicts the conventional dosage compensation model in which naïve female cells are initially subject to biallelic X-upregulation followed by X-inactivation of one allele to correct the X dosage. Together, our study provides key insights to the chain of events of dosage compensation, explaining how transcript copy numbers can remain remarkably stable across developmental windows wherein severe dose imbalance would otherwise be experienced by the cell.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Lentini
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Huaitao Cheng
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J C Noble
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Natali Papanicolaou
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christos Coucoravas
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nathanael Andrews
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Qiaolin Deng
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Enge
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Björn Reinius
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Do Ty3/Gypsy Transposable Elements Play Preferential Roles in Sex Chromosome Differentiation? Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12040522. [PMID: 35455013 PMCID: PMC9025612 DOI: 10.3390/life12040522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) comprise a substantial portion of eukaryotic genomes. They have the unique ability to integrate into new locations and serve as the main source of genomic novelties by mediating chromosomal rearrangements and regulating portions of functional genes. Recent studies have revealed that TEs are abundant in sex chromosomes. In this review, we propose evolutionary relationships between specific TEs, such as Ty3/Gypsy, and sex chromosomes in different lineages based on the hypothesis that these elements contributed to sex chromosome differentiation processes. We highlight how TEs can drive the dynamics of sex-determining regions via suppression recombination under a selective force to affect the organization and structural evolution of sex chromosomes. The abundance of TEs in the sex-determining regions originates from TE-poor genomic regions, suggesting a link between TE accumulation and the emergence of the sex-determining regions. TEs are generally considered to be a hallmark of chromosome degeneration. Finally, we outline recent approaches to identify TEs and study their sex-related roles and effects in the differentiation and evolution of sex chromosomes.
Collapse
|
36
|
Florini F, Visone JE, Deitsch KW. Shared Mechanisms for Mutually Exclusive Expression and Antigenic Variation by Protozoan Parasites. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:852239. [PMID: 35350381 PMCID: PMC8957917 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.852239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular decision-making at the level of gene expression is a key process in the development and evolution of every organism. Variations in gene expression can lead to phenotypic diversity and the development of subpopulations with adaptive advantages. A prime example is the mutually exclusive activation of a single gene from within a multicopy gene family. In mammals, this ranges from the activation of one of the two immunoglobulin (Ig) alleles to the choice in olfactory sensory neurons of a single odorant receptor (OR) gene from a family of more than 1,000. Similarly, in parasites like Trypanosoma brucei, Giardia lamblia or Plasmodium falciparum, the process of antigenic variation required to escape recognition by the host immune system involves the monoallelic expression of vsg, vsp or var genes, respectively. Despite the importance of this process, understanding how this choice is made remains an enigma. The development of powerful techniques such as single cell RNA-seq and Hi-C has provided new insights into the mechanisms these different systems employ to achieve monoallelic gene expression. Studies utilizing these techniques have shown how the complex interplay between nuclear architecture, physical interactions between chromosomes and different chromatin states lead to single allele expression. Additionally, in several instances it has been observed that high-level expression of a single gene is preceded by a transient state where multiple genes are expressed at a low level. In this review, we will describe and compare the different strategies that organisms have evolved to choose one gene from within a large family and how parasites employ this strategy to ensure survival within their hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kirk W. Deitsch
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Hansen CCR, Westfall KM, Pálsson S. Evaluation of four methods to identify the homozygotic sex chromosome in small populations. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:160. [PMID: 35209843 PMCID: PMC8867824 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08393-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whole genomes are commonly assembled into a collection of scaffolds and often lack annotations of autosomes, sex chromosomes, and organelle genomes (i.e., mitochondrial and chloroplast). As these chromosome types differ in effective population size and can have highly disparate evolutionary histories, it is imperative to take this information into account when analysing genomic variation. Here we assessed the accuracy of four methods for identifying the homogametic sex chromosome in a small population using two whole genome sequences (WGS) and 133 RAD sequences of white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla): i) difference in read depth per scaffold in a male and a female, ii) heterozygosity per scaffold in a male and a female, iii) mapping to the reference genome of a related species (chicken) with annotated sex chromosomes, and iv) analysis of SNP-loadings from a principal components analysis (PCA), based on the low-depth RADseq data. RESULTS The best performing approach was the reference mapping (method iii), which identified 98.12% of the expected homogametic sex chromosome (Z). Read depth per scaffold (method i) identified 86.41% of the homogametic sex chromosome with few false positives. SNP-loading scores (method iv) identified 78.6% of the Z-chromosome and had a false positive discovery rate of more than 10%. Heterozygosity per scaffold (method ii) did not provide clear results due to a lack of diversity in both the Z and autosomal chromosomes, and potential interference from the heterogametic sex chromosome (W). The evaluation of these methods also revealed 10 Mb of putative PAR and gametologous regions. CONCLUSION Identification of the homogametic sex chromosome in a small population is best accomplished by reference mapping or examining differences in read depth between sexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kristen M Westfall
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.,Current: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, BC, Canada
| | - Snæbjörn Pálsson
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
The Sister Chromatid Division of the Heteromorphic Sex Chromosomes in Silene Species and Their Transmissibility towards the Mitosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052422. [PMID: 35269563 PMCID: PMC8910698 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Young sex chromosomes possess unique and ongoing dynamics that allow us to understand processes that have an impact on their evolution and divergence. The genus Silene includes species with evolutionarily young sex chromosomes, and two species of section Melandrium, namely Silene latifolia (24, XY) and Silene dioica (24, XY), are well-established models of sex chromosome evolution, Y chromosome degeneration, and sex determination. In both species, the X and Y chromosomes are strongly heteromorphic and differ in the genomic composition compared to the autosomes. It is generally accepted that for proper cell division, the longest chromosomal arm must not exceed half of the average length of the spindle axis at telophase. Yet, it is not clear what are the dynamics between males and females during mitosis and how the cell compensates for the presence of the large Y chromosome in one sex. Using hydroxyurea cell synchronization and 2D/3D microscopy, we determined the position of the sex chromosomes during the mitotic cell cycle and determined the upper limit for the expansion of sex chromosome non-recombining region. Using 3D specimen preparations, we found that the velocity of the large chromosomes is compensated by the distant positioning from the central interpolar axis, confirming previous mathematical modulations.
Collapse
|
39
|
Bronikowski AM, Meisel RP, Biga PR, Walters J, Mank JE, Larschan E, Wilkinson GS, Valenzuela N, Conard AM, de Magalhães JP, Duan J, Elias AE, Gamble T, Graze R, Gribble KE, Kreiling JA, Riddle NC. Sex-specific aging in animals: Perspective and future directions. Aging Cell 2022; 21:e13542. [PMID: 35072344 PMCID: PMC8844111 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in aging occur in many animal species, and they include sex differences in lifespan, in the onset and progression of age-associated decline, and in physiological and molecular markers of aging. Sex differences in aging vary greatly across the animal kingdom. For example, there are species with longer-lived females, species where males live longer, and species lacking sex differences in lifespan. The underlying causes of sex differences in aging remain mostly unknown. Currently, we do not understand the molecular drivers of sex differences in aging, or whether they are related to the accepted hallmarks or pillars of aging or linked to other well-characterized processes. In particular, understanding the role of sex-determination mechanisms and sex differences in aging is relatively understudied. Here, we take a comparative, interdisciplinary approach to explore various hypotheses about how sex differences in aging arise. We discuss genomic, morphological, and environmental differences between the sexes and how these relate to sex differences in aging. Finally, we present some suggestions for future research in this area and provide recommendations for promising experimental designs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne M. Bronikowski
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal BiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA
| | - Richard P. Meisel
- Department of Biology and BiochemistryUniversity of HoustonHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Peggy R. Biga
- Department of BiologyThe University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - James R. Walters
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyThe University of KansasLawrenceKansasUSA
| | - Judith E. Mank
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
- Department of BioscienceUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Erica Larschan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and BiochemistryBrown UniversityProvidenceRhode IslandUSA
| | | | - Nicole Valenzuela
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal BiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA
| | - Ashley Mae Conard
- Department of Computer ScienceCenter for Computational and Molecular BiologyBrown UniversityProvidenceRhode IslandUSA
| | - João Pedro de Magalhães
- Integrative Genomics of Ageing GroupInstitute of Ageing and Chronic DiseaseUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | | | - Amy E. Elias
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and BiochemistryBrown UniversityProvidenceRhode IslandUSA
| | - Tony Gamble
- Department of Biological SciencesMarquette UniversityMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
- Milwaukee Public MuseumMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
- Bell Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of MinnesotaSaint PaulMinnesotaUSA
| | - Rita M. Graze
- Department of Biological SciencesAuburn UniversityAuburnAlabamaUSA
| | - Kristin E. Gribble
- Josephine Bay Paul Center for Comparative Molecular Biology and EvolutionMarine Biological LaboratoryWoods HoleMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jill A. Kreiling
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and BiochemistryBrown UniversityProvidenceRhode IslandUSA
| | - Nicole C. Riddle
- Department of BiologyThe University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Bredemeyer KR, Seabury CM, Stickney MJ, McCarrey JR, vonHoldt BM, Murphy WJ. Rapid Macrosatellite Evolution Promotes X-Linked Hybrid Male Sterility in a Feline Interspecies Cross. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:5588-5609. [PMID: 34519828 PMCID: PMC8662614 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The sterility or inviability of hybrid offspring produced from an interspecific mating result from incompatibilities between parental genotypes that are thought to result from divergence of loci involved in epistatic interactions. However, attributes contributing to the rapid evolution of these regions also complicates their assembly, thus discovery of candidate hybrid sterility loci is difficult and has been restricted to a small number of model systems. Here we reported rapid interspecific divergence at the DXZ4 macrosatellite locus in an interspecific cross between two closely related mammalian species: the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) and the Jungle cat (Felis chaus). DXZ4 is an interesting candidate due to its structural complexity, copy number variability, and described role in the critical yet complex biological process of X-chromosome inactivation. However, the full structure of DXZ4 was absent or incomplete in nearly every available mammalian genome assembly given its repetitive complexity. We compared highly continuous genomes for three cat species, each containing a complete DXZ4 locus, and discovered that the felid DXZ4 locus differs substantially from the human ortholog, and that it varies in copy number between cat species. Additionally, we reported expression, methylation, and structural conformation profiles of DXZ4 and the X chromosome during stages of spermatogenesis that have been previously associated with hybrid male sterility. Collectively, these findings suggest a new role for DXZ4 in male meiosis and a mechanism for feline interspecific incompatibility through rapid satellite divergence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin R Bredemeyer
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics and Genomics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Mark J Stickney
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - John R McCarrey
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | | | - William J Murphy
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics and Genomics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Maier MC, McInerney MRA, Graves JAM, Charchar FJ. Noncoding Genes on Sex Chromosomes and Their Function in Sex Determination, Dosage Compensation, Male Traits, and Diseases. Sex Dev 2021; 15:432-440. [PMID: 34794153 DOI: 10.1159/000519622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian Y chromosome has evolved in many species into a specialized chromosome that contributes to sex development among other male phenotypes. This function is well studied in terms of protein-coding genes. Less is known about the noncoding genome on the Y chromosome and its contribution to both sex development and other traits. Once considered junk genetic material, noncoding RNAs are now known to contribute to the regulation of gene expression and to play an important role in refining cellular functions. The prime examples are noncoding genes on the X chromosome, which mitigate the differential dosage of genes on sex chromosomes. Here, we discuss the evolution of noncoding RNAs on the Y chromosome and the emerging evidence of how micro, long, and circular noncoding RNAs transcribed from the Y chromosome contribute to sex differentiation. We briefly touch on emerging evidence that these noncoding RNAs also contribute to some other important clinical phenotypes in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle C Maier
- Health Innovation & Transformation Centre, Federation University, Mt Helen, Victoria, Australia.,School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
| | - Molly-Rose A McInerney
- Health Innovation & Transformation Centre, Federation University, Mt Helen, Victoria, Australia.,School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Fadi J Charchar
- Health Innovation & Transformation Centre, Federation University, Mt Helen, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.,Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Saunders PA, Veyrunes F. Unusual Mammalian Sex Determination Systems: A Cabinet of Curiosities. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1770. [PMID: 34828376 PMCID: PMC8617835 DOI: 10.3390/genes12111770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Therian mammals have among the oldest and most conserved sex-determining systems known to date. Any deviation from the standard XX/XY mammalian sex chromosome constitution usually leads to sterility or poor fertility, due to the high differentiation and specialization of the X and Y chromosomes. Nevertheless, a handful of rodents harbor so-called unusual sex-determining systems. While in some species, fertile XY females are found, some others have completely lost their Y chromosome. These atypical species have fascinated researchers for over 60 years, and constitute unique natural models for the study of fundamental processes involved in sex determination in mammals and vertebrates. In this article, we review current knowledge of these species, discuss their similarities and differences, and attempt to expose how the study of their exceptional sex-determining systems can further our understanding of general processes involved in sex chromosome and sex determination evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. Saunders
- Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution de Montpellier, ISEM UMR 5554 (CNRS/Université Montpellier/IRD/EPHE), 34090 Montpellier, France;
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Frédéric Veyrunes
- Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution de Montpellier, ISEM UMR 5554 (CNRS/Université Montpellier/IRD/EPHE), 34090 Montpellier, France;
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
X-linked histone H3K27 demethylase Kdm6a regulates sexually dimorphic differentiation of hypothalamic neurons. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:7043-7060. [PMID: 34633482 PMCID: PMC8558156 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03945-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Several X-linked genes are involved in neuronal differentiation and may contribute to the generation of sex dimorphisms in the brain. Previous results showed that XX hypothalamic neurons grow faster, have longer axons, and exhibit higher expression of the neuritogenic gene neurogenin 3 (Ngn3) than XY before perinatal masculinization. Here we evaluated the participation of candidate X-linked genes in the development of these sex differences, focusing mainly on Kdm6a, a gene encoding for an H3K27 demethylase with functions controlling gene expression genome-wide. We established hypothalamic neuronal cultures from wild-type or transgenic Four Core Genotypes mice, a model that allows evaluating the effect of sex chromosomes independently of gonadal type. X-linked genes Kdm6a, Eif2s3x and Ddx3x showed higher expression in XX compared to XY neurons, regardless of gonadal sex. Moreover, Kdm6a expression pattern with higher mRNA levels in XX than XY did not change with age at E14, P0, and P60 in hypothalamus or under 17β-estradiol treatment in culture. Kdm6a pharmacological blockade by GSK-J4 reduced axonal length only in female neurons and decreased the expression of neuritogenic genes Neurod1, Neurod2 and Cdk5r1 in both sexes equally, while a sex-specific effect was observed in Ngn3. Finally, Kdm6a downregulation using siRNA reduced axonal length and Ngn3 expression only in female neurons, abolishing the sex differences observed in control conditions. Altogether, these results point to Kdm6a as a key mediator of the higher axogenesis and Ngn3 expression observed in XX neurons before the critical period of brain masculinization.
Collapse
|
44
|
Varela ES, Bekaert M, Ganeco-Kirschnik LN, Torati LS, Shiotsuki L, de Almeida FL, Villela LCV, Rezende FP, da Silva Barroso A, de Freitas LEL, Taggart JB, Migaud H. A high-density linkage map and sex-linked markers for the Amazon Tambaqui Colossoma macropomum. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:709. [PMID: 34598670 PMCID: PMC8487117 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08037-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum, Cuvier, 1818) is the most economically important native freshwater fish species in Brazil. It can reach a total length of over 1 m and a weight of over 40 kg. The species displays a clear sex dimorphism in growth performance, with females reaching larger sizes at harvest. In aquaculture, the production of monosex populations in selective breeding programmes has been therefore identified as a key priority. Results In the present study, a genetic linkage map was generated by double digest restriction-site associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing from 248 individuals sampled from two F1 families. The map was constructed using 14,805 informative SNPs and spanned 27 linkage groups. From this, the tambaqui draft genome was improved, by ordering the scaffolds into chromosomes, and sex-linked markers were identified. A total of 235 markers on linkage group 26 showed a significant association with the phenotypic sex, supporting an XX/XY sex determination system in the species. The four most informative sex-linked markers were validated on another 206 sexed individuals, demonstrating an accuracy in predicting sex ranging from 90.0 to 96.7%. Conclusions The genetic mapping and novel sex-linked DNA markers identified and validated offer new tools for rapid progeny sexing, thus supporting the development of monosex female production in the industry while also supporting breeding programmes of the species. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-08037-8.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Sousa Varela
- Embrapa Pesca e Aquicultura, Prolongamento da Av. NS 10, Cruzamento com AV. LO 18, Sentido Norte, loteamento Água Fria, CEP, Palmas, TO, 77008-900, Brazil.
| | - Michaël Bekaert
- Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Luciana Nakaghi Ganeco-Kirschnik
- Embrapa Pesca e Aquicultura, Prolongamento da Av. NS 10, Cruzamento com AV. LO 18, Sentido Norte, loteamento Água Fria, CEP, Palmas, TO, 77008-900, Brazil
| | - Lucas Simon Torati
- Embrapa Pesca e Aquicultura, Prolongamento da Av. NS 10, Cruzamento com AV. LO 18, Sentido Norte, loteamento Água Fria, CEP, Palmas, TO, 77008-900, Brazil
| | - Luciana Shiotsuki
- Embrapa Pesca e Aquicultura, Prolongamento da Av. NS 10, Cruzamento com AV. LO 18, Sentido Norte, loteamento Água Fria, CEP, Palmas, TO, 77008-900, Brazil
| | | | - Luciana Cristine Vasques Villela
- Embrapa Pesca e Aquicultura, Prolongamento da Av. NS 10, Cruzamento com AV. LO 18, Sentido Norte, loteamento Água Fria, CEP, Palmas, TO, 77008-900, Brazil
| | - Fabrício Pereira Rezende
- Embrapa Pesca e Aquicultura, Prolongamento da Av. NS 10, Cruzamento com AV. LO 18, Sentido Norte, loteamento Água Fria, CEP, Palmas, TO, 77008-900, Brazil
| | - Aurisan da Silva Barroso
- Embrapa Pesca e Aquicultura, Prolongamento da Av. NS 10, Cruzamento com AV. LO 18, Sentido Norte, loteamento Água Fria, CEP, Palmas, TO, 77008-900, Brazil
| | - Luiz Eduardo Lima de Freitas
- Embrapa Pesca e Aquicultura, Prolongamento da Av. NS 10, Cruzamento com AV. LO 18, Sentido Norte, loteamento Água Fria, CEP, Palmas, TO, 77008-900, Brazil
| | - John Bernard Taggart
- Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Herve Migaud
- Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, FK9 4LA, UK
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Sardell JM, Josephson MP, Dalziel AC, Peichel CL, Kirkpatrick M. Heterogeneous Histories of Recombination Suppression on Stickleback Sex Chromosomes. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:4403-4418. [PMID: 34117766 PMCID: PMC8476171 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
How consistent are the evolutionary trajectories of sex chromosomes shortly after they form? Insights into the evolution of recombination, differentiation, and degeneration can be provided by comparing closely related species with homologous sex chromosomes. The sex chromosomes of the threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and its sister species, the Japan Sea stickleback (G. nipponicus), have been well characterized. Little is known, however, about the sex chromosomes of their congener, the blackspotted stickleback (G. wheatlandi). We used pedigrees to obtain experimentally phased whole genome sequences from blackspotted stickleback X and Y chromosomes. Using multispecies gene trees and analysis of shared duplications, we demonstrate that Chromosome 19 is the ancestral sex chromosome and that its oldest stratum evolved in the common ancestor of the genus. After the blackspotted lineage diverged, its sex chromosomes experienced independent and more extensive recombination suppression, greater X-Y differentiation, and a much higher rate of Y degeneration than the other two species. These patterns may result from a smaller effective population size in the blackspotted stickleback. A recent fusion between the ancestral blackspotted stickleback Y chromosome and Chromosome 12, which produced a neo-X and neo-Y, may have been favored by the very small size of the recombining region on the ancestral sex chromosome. We identify six strata on the ancestral and neo-sex chromosomes where recombination between the X and Y ceased at different times. These results confirm that sex chromosomes can evolve large differences within and between species over short evolutionary timescales.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason M Sardell
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | - Anne C Dalziel
- Department of Biology, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - Mark Kirkpatrick
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Schenkel MA, Beukeboom LW, Pen I. Epistatic interactions between sex chromosomes and autosomes can affect the stability of sex determination systems. J Evol Biol 2021; 34:1666-1677. [PMID: 34551179 PMCID: PMC9291586 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Sex determination (SD) is an essential and ancient developmental process, but the genetic systems that regulate this process are surprisingly variable. Why SD mechanisms vary so much is a longstanding question in evolutionary biology. SD genes are generally located on sex chromosomes which also carry genes that interact epistatically with autosomes to affect fitness. How this affects the evolutionary stability of SD mechanisms is still unknown. Here, we explore how epistatic interactions between a sexually antagonistic (SA) non‐SD gene, located on either an ancestral or novel sex chromosome, and an autosomal gene affect the conditions under which an evolutionary transition to a new SD system occurs. We find that when the SD gene is linked to an ancestral sex‐chromosomal gene which engages in epistatic interactions, epistasis enhances the stability of the sex chromosomes so that they are retained under conditions where transitions would otherwise occur. This occurs both when weaker fitness effects are associated with the ancestral sex chromosome pair or stronger fitness effects associated with a newly evolved SD gene. However, the probability that novel SD genes spread is unaffected if they arise near genes involved in epistasis. This discrepancy occurs because, on autosomes, SA allele frequencies are typically lower than on sex chromosomes. In our model, increased frequencies of these alleles contribute to a higher frequency of epistasis which may therefore more readily occur on sex chromosomes. Because sex chromosome–autosome interactions are abundant and can take several forms, they may play a large role in maintaining sex chromosomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martijn A Schenkel
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Leo W Beukeboom
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ido Pen
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Gil-Fernández A, Ribagorda M, Martín-Ruiz M, López-Jiménez P, Laguna T, Gómez R, Parra MT, Viera A, Veyrunes F, Page J. Meiotic Behavior of Achiasmate Sex Chromosomes in the African Pygmy Mouse Mus mattheyi Offers New Insights into the Evolution of Sex Chromosome Pairing and Segregation in Mammals. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1434. [PMID: 34573416 PMCID: PMC8471055 DOI: 10.3390/genes12091434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
X and Y chromosomes in mammals are different in size and gene content due to an evolutionary process of differentiation and degeneration of the Y chromosome. Nevertheless, these chromosomes usually share a small region of homology, the pseudoautosomal region (PAR), which allows them to perform a partial synapsis and undergo reciprocal recombination during meiosis, which ensures their segregation. However, in some mammalian species the PAR has been lost, which challenges the pairing and segregation of sex chromosomes in meiosis. The African pygmy mouse Mus mattheyi shows completely differentiated sex chromosomes, representing an uncommon evolutionary situation among mouse species. We have performed a detailed analysis of the location of proteins involved in synaptonemal complex assembly (SYCP3), recombination (RPA, RAD51 and MLH1) and sex chromosome inactivation (γH2AX) in this species. We found that neither synapsis nor chiasmata are found between sex chromosomes and their pairing is notably delayed compared to autosomes. Interestingly, the Y chromosome only incorporates RPA and RAD51 in a reduced fraction of spermatocytes, indicating a particular DNA repair dynamic on this chromosome. The analysis of segregation revealed that sex chromosomes are associated until metaphase-I just by a chromatin contact. Unexpectedly, both sex chromosomes remain labelled with γH2AX during first meiotic division. This chromatin contact is probably enough to maintain sex chromosome association up to anaphase-I and, therefore, could be relevant to ensure their reductional segregation. The results presented suggest that the regulation of both DNA repair and epigenetic modifications in the sex chromosomes can have a great impact on the divergence of sex chromosomes and their proper transmission, widening our understanding on the relationship between meiosis and the evolution of sex chromosomes in mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Gil-Fernández
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-F.); (M.R.); (M.M.-R.); (P.L.-J.); (T.L.); (R.G.); (M.T.P.); (A.V.)
| | - Marta Ribagorda
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-F.); (M.R.); (M.M.-R.); (P.L.-J.); (T.L.); (R.G.); (M.T.P.); (A.V.)
| | - Marta Martín-Ruiz
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-F.); (M.R.); (M.M.-R.); (P.L.-J.); (T.L.); (R.G.); (M.T.P.); (A.V.)
| | - Pablo López-Jiménez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-F.); (M.R.); (M.M.-R.); (P.L.-J.); (T.L.); (R.G.); (M.T.P.); (A.V.)
| | - Tamara Laguna
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-F.); (M.R.); (M.M.-R.); (P.L.-J.); (T.L.); (R.G.); (M.T.P.); (A.V.)
| | - Rocío Gómez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-F.); (M.R.); (M.M.-R.); (P.L.-J.); (T.L.); (R.G.); (M.T.P.); (A.V.)
| | - María Teresa Parra
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-F.); (M.R.); (M.M.-R.); (P.L.-J.); (T.L.); (R.G.); (M.T.P.); (A.V.)
| | - Alberto Viera
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-F.); (M.R.); (M.M.-R.); (P.L.-J.); (T.L.); (R.G.); (M.T.P.); (A.V.)
| | - Frederic Veyrunes
- Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution, ISEM UMR 5554 (CNRS/Université Montpellier/IRD/EPHE), 34090 Montpellier, France;
| | - Jesús Page
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-F.); (M.R.); (M.M.-R.); (P.L.-J.); (T.L.); (R.G.); (M.T.P.); (A.V.)
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Kratochvíl L, Stöck M, Rovatsos M, Bullejos M, Herpin A, Jeffries DL, Peichel CL, Perrin N, Valenzuela N, Pokorná MJ. Expanding the classical paradigm: what we have learnt from vertebrates about sex chromosome evolution. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200097. [PMID: 34304593 PMCID: PMC8310716 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Until recently, the field of sex chromosome evolution has been dominated by the canonical unidirectional scenario, first developed by Muller in 1918. This model postulates that sex chromosomes emerge from autosomes by acquiring a sex-determining locus. Recombination reduction then expands outwards from this locus, to maintain its linkage with sexually antagonistic/advantageous alleles, resulting in Y or W degeneration and potentially culminating in their disappearance. Based mostly on empirical vertebrate research, we challenge and expand each conceptual step of this canonical model and present observations by numerous experts in two parts of a theme issue of Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B. We suggest that greater theoretical and empirical insights into the events at the origins of sex-determining genes (rewiring of the gonadal differentiation networks), and a better understanding of the evolutionary forces responsible for recombination suppression are required. Among others, crucial questions are: Why do sex chromosome differentiation rates and the evolution of gene dose regulatory mechanisms between male versus female heterogametic systems not follow earlier theory? Why do several lineages not have sex chromosomes? And: What are the consequences of the presence of (differentiated) sex chromosomes for individual fitness, evolvability, hybridization and diversification? We conclude that the classical scenario appears too reductionistic. Instead of being unidirectional, we show that sex chromosome evolution is more complex than previously anticipated and principally forms networks, interconnected to potentially endless outcomes with restarts, deletions and additions of new genomic material. This article is part of the theme issue 'Challenging the paradigm in sex chromosome evolution: empirical and theoretical insights with a focus on vertebrates (Part II)'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukáš Kratochvíl
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Matthias Stöck
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries - IGB (Forschungsverbund Berlin), Müggelseedamm 301, 12587 Berlin, Germany
- Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Michail Rovatsos
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Mónica Bullejos
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Jaén, Las Lagunillas Campus S/N, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Amaury Herpin
- INRAE, LPGP, 35000 Rennes, France
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Daniel L. Jeffries
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Catherine L. Peichel
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Perrin
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Valenzuela
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Martina Johnson Pokorná
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Lichilín N, El Taher A, Böhne A. Sex-biased gene expression and recent sex chromosome turnover. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200107. [PMID: 34304591 PMCID: PMC8310714 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cichlids are well known for their propensity to radiate generating arrays of morphologically and ecologically diverse species in short evolutionary time. Following this rapid evolutionary pace, cichlids show high rates of sex chromosome turnover. We here studied the evolution of sex-biased gene (SBG) expression in 14 recently diverged taxa of the Lake Tanganyika Tropheini cichlids, which show different XY sex chromosomes. Across species, sex chromosome sequence divergence predates divergence in expression between the sexes. Only one sex chromosome, the oldest, showed signs of demasculinization in gene expression and potentially contribution to the resolution of sexual conflict. SBGs in general showed high rates of turnovers and evolved mostly under drift. Sexual selection did not shape the rapid evolutionary changes of SBGs. Male-biased genes evolved faster than female-biased genes, which seem to be under more phylogenetic constraint. We found a relationship between the degree of sex bias and sequence evolution driven by sequence differences among the sexes. Consistent with other species, strong sex bias towards sex-limited expression contributes to resolving sexual conflict in cichlids. This article is part of the theme issue 'Challenging the paradigm in sex chromosome evolution: empirical and theoretical insights with a focus on vertebrates (Part II)'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Lichilín
- Zoological Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Athimed El Taher
- Zoological Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Astrid Böhne
- Zoological Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- Center for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Sember A, Nguyen P, Perez MF, Altmanová M, Ráb P, Cioffi MDB. Multiple sex chromosomes in teleost fishes from a cytogenetic perspective: state of the art and future challenges. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200098. [PMID: 34304595 PMCID: PMC8310710 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of cytogenetic and genomic research of dynamic sex chromosome evolution in teleost fishes, multiple sex chromosomes have been largely neglected. In this review, we compiled available data on teleost multiple sex chromosomes, identified major trends in their evolution and suggest further trajectories in their investigation. In a compiled dataset of 440 verified records of fish sex chromosomes, we counted 75 multiple sex chromosome systems with 60 estimated independent origins. We showed that male-heterogametic systems created by Y-autosome fusion predominate and that multiple sex chromosomes are over-represented in the order Perciformes. We documented a striking difference in patterns of differentiation of sex chromosomes between male and female heterogamety and hypothesize that faster W sex chromosome differentiation may constrain sex chromosome turnover in female-heterogametic systems. We also found no significant association between the mechanism of multiple sex chromosome formation and percentage of uni-armed chromosomes in teleost karyotypes. Last but not least, we hypothesized that interaction between fish populations, which differ in their sex chromosomes, can drive the evolution of multiple sex chromosomes in fishes. This underlines the importance of broader inter-population sampling in studies of fish sex chromosomes. This article is part of the theme issue 'Challenging the paradigm in sex chromosome evolution: empirical and theoretical insights with a focus on vertebrates (Part II)'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandr Sember
- Laboratory of Fish Genetics, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, 277 21 Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Nguyen
- Laboratory of Fish Genetics, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, 277 21 Liběchov, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Manolo F. Perez
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luiz km 235 cep, 13565-905, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Marie Altmanová
- Laboratory of Fish Genetics, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, 277 21 Liběchov, Czech Republic
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Ráb
- Laboratory of Fish Genetics, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, 277 21 Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Marcelo de Bello Cioffi
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luiz km 235 cep, 13565-905, São Carlos, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|