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Vontzou N, Pei Y, Mueller JC, Reifová R, Ruiz-Ruano FJ, Schlebusch SA, Suh A. Songbird germline-restricted chromosome as a potential arena of genetic conflicts. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 83:102113. [PMID: 37734346 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Genetic conflicts can arise between components of the genome with different inheritance strategies. The germline-restricted chromosome (GRC) of songbirds shows unusual mitotic and meiotic transmission compared with the rest of the genome. It is excluded from somatic cells and maintained only in the germline. It is usually present in one copy in the male germline and eliminated during spermatogenesis, while in the female germline, it usually occurs in two copies and behaves as a regular chromosome. Here, we review what is known about the GRC's evolutionary history, genetic content, and expression and discuss how it may be involved in different types of genetic conflicts. Finally, we interrogate the potential role of the GRC in songbird germline development, highlighting several unsolved mysteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niki Vontzou
- Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany; School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
| | - Yifan Pei
- Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany; Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany; Department of Organismal Biology - Systematic Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Jakob C Mueller
- Department of Ornithology, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Radka Reifová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Francisco J Ruiz-Ruano
- Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany; Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany. https://twitter.com/@fjruizruano
| | - Stephen A Schlebusch
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alexander Suh
- Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany; Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany; Department of Organismal Biology - Systematic Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Borodin PM. Germline-restricted chromosomes of the songbirds. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2023; 27:641-650. [PMID: 38023808 PMCID: PMC10643108 DOI: 10.18699/vjgb-23-75] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Germline-restricted chromosomes (GRCs) are present in the genomes of germline cells and absent from somatic cells. A GRC is found in all species of the songbirds (Passeri) and in none of the other bird orders studied to date. This indicates that GRC originated in the common ancestor of the songbirds. The germline-restricted chromosome is permanently absent from somatic cells of the songbird, while female germline cells usually contain two copies of GRC and male ones have one copy. In females, GRCs undergo synapsis and restricted recombination in their terminal regions during meiotic prophase. In males, it is almost always eliminated from spermatocytes. Thus, GRC is inherited almost exclusively through the maternal lineage. The germline-restricted chromosome is a necessary genomic element in the germline cells of songbirds. To date, the GRC genetic composition has been studied in four species only. Some GRC genes are actively expressed in female and male gonads, controlling the development of germline cells and synthesis of the proteins involved in the organization of meiotic chromosomes. Songbird species vary in GRC size and genetic composition. The GRC of each bird species consists of amplified and modified copies of genes from the basic genome of that species. The level of homology between GRCs of different species is relatively low, indicating a high rate of genetic evolution of this chromosome. Transmission through the maternal lineage and suppression of the recombination contribute significantly to the accelerated evolution of GRCs. One may suggest that the rapid coordinated evolution between the GRC genes and the genes of the basic genome in the songbirds might be responsible for the explosive speciation and adaptive radiation of this most species-rich and diverse infraorder of birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- P M Borodin
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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3
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Schlebusch SA, Rídl J, Poignet M, Ruiz-Ruano FJ, Reif J, Pajer P, Pačes J, Albrecht T, Suh A, Reifová R. Rapid gene content turnover on the germline-restricted chromosome in songbirds. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4579. [PMID: 37516764 PMCID: PMC10387091 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40308-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The germline-restricted chromosome (GRC) of songbirds represents a taxonomically widespread example of programmed DNA elimination. Despite its apparent indispensability, we still know very little about the GRC's genetic composition, function, and evolutionary significance. Here we assemble the GRC in two closely related species, the common and thrush nightingale. In total we identify 192 genes across the two GRCs, with many of them present in multiple copies. Interestingly, the GRC appears to be under little selective pressure, with the genetic content differing dramatically between the two species and many GRC genes appearing to be pseudogenized fragments. Only one gene, cpeb1, has a complete coding region in all examined individuals of the two species and shows no copy number variation. The acquisition of this gene by the GRC corresponds with the earliest estimates of the GRC origin, making it a good candidate for the functional indispensability of the GRC in songbirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Schlebusch
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Jakub Rídl
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Manon Poignet
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Francisco J Ruiz-Ruano
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
- Department of Organismal Biology - Systematic Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18D, 752 36, Uppsala, Sweden
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
- Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Adenauerallee 127, 53113, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jiří Reif
- Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Pajer
- Military Health Institute, Military Medical Agency, Tychonova 1, 160 01, Prague 6, San Antonio, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Pačes
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Albrecht
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Alexander Suh
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
- Department of Organismal Biology - Systematic Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18D, 752 36, Uppsala, Sweden
- Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Adenauerallee 127, 53113, Bonn, Germany
| | - Radka Reifová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Mueller JC, Schlebusch SA, Pei Y, Poignet M, Vontzou N, Ruiz-Ruano FJ, Albrecht T, Reifová R, Forstmeier W, Suh A, Kempenaers B. Micro Germline-Restricted Chromosome in Blue Tits: Evidence for Meiotic Functions. Mol Biol Evol 2023; 40:msad096. [PMID: 37116210 PMCID: PMC10172847 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad096] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The germline-restricted chromosome (GRC) is likely present in all songbird species but differs widely in size and gene content. This extra chromosome has been described as either a microchromosome with only limited basic gene content or a macrochromosome with enriched gene functions related to female gonad and embryo development. Here, we assembled, annotated, and characterized the first micro-GRC in the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) using high-fidelity long-read sequencing data. Although some genes on the blue tit GRC show signals of pseudogenization, others potentially have important functions, either currently or in the past. We highlight the GRC gene paralog BMP15, which is among the highest expressed GRC genes both in blue tits and in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) and is known to play a role in oocyte and follicular maturation in other vertebrates. The GRC genes of the blue tit are further enriched for functions related to the synaptonemal complex. We found a similar functional enrichment when analyzing published data on GRC genes from two nightingale species (Luscinia spp.). We hypothesize that these genes play a role in maintaining standard maternal inheritance or in recombining maternal and paternal GRCs during potential episodes of biparental inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob C Mueller
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Seewiesen, Germany
| | | | - Yifan Pei
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Manon Poignet
- Department of Zoology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Niki Vontzou
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Francisco J Ruiz-Ruano
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
- Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tomáš Albrecht
- Department of Zoology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Radka Reifová
- Department of Zoology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Wolfgang Forstmeier
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Alexander Suh
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
- Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bart Kempenaers
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Seewiesen, Germany
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5
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Malinovskaya LP, Slobodchikova AY, Grishko EO, Pristyazhnyuk IE, Torgasheva AA, Borodin PM. Germline-Restricted Chromosomes and Autosomal Variants Revealed by Pachytene Karyotyping of 17 Avian Species. Cytogenet Genome Res 2022; 162:148-160. [PMID: 35598601 DOI: 10.1159/000524681] [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: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Karyotypes of less than 10% of bird species are known. Using immunolocalization of the synaptonemal complex, the core structure of meiotic chromosomes at the pachytene stage, and centromere proteins, we describe male pachytene karyotypes of 17 species of birds. This method enables higher resolution than the conventional analyses of metaphase chromosomes. We provide the first descriptions of the karyotypes of 3 species (rook, Blyth's reed warbler, and European pied flycatcher), correct the published data on the karyotypes of 10 species, and confirm them for 4 species. All passerine species examined have highly conservative karyotypes, 2n = 80-82 with 7 pairs of macrochromosomes (including the ZZ sex chromosome pair which was not unambiguously distinguished from other macrochromosomes in most species) and 33-34 pairs of microchromosomes. In all of them, but not in the common cuckoo, we revealed single copies of the germline-restricted chromosomes varying in size and morphology even between closely related species. This indicates a fast evolution of this additional chromosome. The interspecies differences concern the sizes of the macrochromosomes, morphology of the microchromosomes, and sizes of the centromeres. The pachytene cells of the gouldian finch, brambling, and common linnet contain heteromorphic synaptonemal complexes indicating heterozygosity for inversions or centromere shifts. The European pied flycatcher, gouldian finch, and domestic canary have extended centromeres in several macro- and microchromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyubov P Malinovskaya
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Cell Biology and Bioinformatics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation.,Department of Cytology and Genetics, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
| | - Anastasia Y Slobodchikova
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Cell Biology and Bioinformatics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
| | - Ekaterina O Grishko
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Cell Biology and Bioinformatics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
| | - Inna E Pristyazhnyuk
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Cell Biology and Bioinformatics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
| | - Anna A Torgasheva
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Cell Biology and Bioinformatics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
| | - Pavel M Borodin
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Cell Biology and Bioinformatics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
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6
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Borodin P, Chen A, Forstmeier W, Fouché S, Malinovskaya L, Pei Y, Reifová R, Ruiz-Ruano FJ, Schlebusch SA, Sotelo-Muñoz M, Torgasheva A, Vontzou N, Suh A. Mendelian nightmares: the germline-restricted chromosome of songbirds. Chromosome Res 2022; 30:255-272. [PMID: 35416568 PMCID: PMC9508068 DOI: 10.1007/s10577-022-09688-3] [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: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Germline-restricted chromosomes (GRCs) are accessory chromosomes that occur only in germ cells. They are eliminated from somatic cells through programmed DNA elimination during embryo development. GRCs have been observed in several unrelated animal taxa and show peculiar modes of non-Mendelian inheritance and within-individual elimination. Recent cytogenetic and phylogenomic evidence suggests that a GRC is present across the species-rich songbirds, but absent in non-passerine birds, implying that over half of all 10,500 bird species have extensive germline/soma genome differences. Here, we review recent insights gained from genomic, transcriptomic, and cytogenetic approaches with regard to the genetic content, phylogenetic distribution, and inheritance of the songbird GRC. While many questions remain unsolved in terms of GRC inheritance, elimination, and function, we discuss plausible scenarios and future directions for understanding this widespread form of programmed DNA elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Borodin
- Siberian Department, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Prospekt Akademika Lavrent'yeva 10, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Augustin Chen
- Department of Organismal Biology - Systematic Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, 752 36, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Wolfgang Forstmeier
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner-Straße, 82319, Seewiesen, Germany.
| | - Simone Fouché
- Department of Organismal Biology - Systematic Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, 752 36, Uppsala, Sweden.,School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TU, UK
| | - Lyubov Malinovskaya
- Siberian Department, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Prospekt Akademika Lavrent'yeva 10, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Yifan Pei
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner-Straße, 82319, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Radka Reifová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Francisco J Ruiz-Ruano
- Department of Organismal Biology - Systematic Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, 752 36, Uppsala, Sweden.,School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TU, UK
| | - Stephen A Schlebusch
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Manuelita Sotelo-Muñoz
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Torgasheva
- Siberian Department, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Prospekt Akademika Lavrent'yeva 10, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | - Niki Vontzou
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TU, UK
| | - Alexander Suh
- Department of Organismal Biology - Systematic Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, 752 36, Uppsala, Sweden. .,School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TU, UK.
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