The effects of B chromosomes on the nuclear phenotype in root meristems of maize

Transcribing the enigma: the B chromosome as a territory of uncharted RNAs

B chromosomes are supernumerary elements found in several groups of eukaryotes, including fungi, plants, and animals. Typically, these chromosomes either originate from their hosts through errors in meiosis or interspecifically through horizontal transfer. While many B chromosomes are primarily heterochromatic and possess a low number of coding genes, these additional elements are still capable of transcribing sequences and exerting influence on the expression of host genes. How B chromosomes escape elimination and which impacts can be promoted in the cell always intrigued the cytogeneticists. In pursuit of understanding the behavior and functional impacts of these extra elements, cytogenetic studies meet the advances of molecular biology, incorporating various techniques into investigating B chromosomes from a functional perspective. In this review, we present a timeline of studies investigating B chromosomes and RNAs, highlighting the advances and key findings throughout their history. Additionally, we identified which RNA classes are reported in the B chromosomes and emphasized the necessity for further investigation into new perspectives on the B chromosome functions. In this context, we present a phylogenetic tree that illustrates which branches either report B chromosome presence or have functional RNA studies related to B chromosomes. We propose investigating other unexplored RNA classes and conducting functional analysis in conjunction with cytogenetic studies to enhance our understanding of the B chromosome from an RNA perspective.

Intragenomic Conflict between Knob Heterochromatin and B Chromosomes Is the Key to Understand Genome Size Variation along Altitudinal Clines in Maize

In maize, we studied the causes of genome size variation and their correlates with cultivation altitude that suggests the existence of adaptive clines. To discuss the biological role of the genome size variation, we focused on Bolivian maize landraces growing along a broad altitudinal range. These were analyzed together with previously studied populations from altitudinal clines of Northwestern Argentina (NWA). Bolivian populations exhibited numerical polymorphism for B chromosomes (Bs) (from 1 to 5), with frequencies varying from 16.6 to 81.8 and being positively correlated with cultivation altitude. The 2C values of individuals 0B (A-DNA) ranged between 4.73 and 7.71 pg, with 58.33% of variation. The heterochromatic knobs, detected by DAPI staining, were more numerous and larger in individuals 0B than in those with higher doses of Bs. Bolivian and NWA landraces exhibited the same pattern of A-DNA downsizing and fewer and smaller knobs with increasing cultivation altitude, suggesting a mechanistic link among heterochromatin, genome size and phenology. The negative association between the two types of supernumerary DNA (knob heterochromatin and Bs), mainly responsible for the genome size variation, may be considered as an example of intragenomic conflict. It could be postulated that the optimal nucleotype is the result of such conflict, where genome adjustment may lead to an appropriate length of the vegetative cycle for maize landraces growing across altitudinal clines.

Are cytological parameters of maize landraces (Zea mays ssp. mays) adapted along an altitudinal cline?

The Northwestern Argentina (NWA) highland region is one of the southernmost areas of native maize cultivation. We studied variations of different cytological parameters, such as DNA contents, presence/absence of B chromosomes (Bs), and number and sequence composition of heterochromatic knobs in ten accessions of four maize landraces growing along a broad altitudinal cline in NWA. The aim of this work was to assess variations in cytological parameters and their relationship with the crop altitude of cultivation, in an adaptive context. The A-DNA content of the A chromosome complements showed 40% of difference between the lowest (4.5 pg) and the highest (6.3 pg) 2C value. This variation could be attributed to differences in number and size of heterochromatic knobs. Fluorescent in situ hybridization studies revealed the sequence composition of each knob, with a higher proportion of knobs composed of 180-bp repeats rather than TR-1 repeats, in all accessions. We also found numerical polymorphisms and the highest frequency of Bs reported in maize to this date. These results lead us to propose that the frequencies and doses of Bs are influenced by the landrace genotypical make-up. The Bs might be maintained in higher frequencies in those accessions having lower heterochromatin content, so as to preserve an optimal nucleotype. Furthermore, selective forces acting along the altitudinal gradient might be modulating the cytological parameters studied, as suggested by the significant correlations found among them.

Intraspecific DNA content variability in Festuca pallens on different geographical scales and ploidy levels

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Intraspecific genome size variability of Festuca pallens occurring on relict rocky steppes in Central Europe was studied on two ploidy levels and three geographical scales: (1) local scale of 24 populations, (2) landscape scale of three transects in river canyons or hill systems, and (3) global scale of 160 samples covering the whole distribution area.

METHODS

DAPI flow cytometry of homogeneously cultivated samples (>or=1 year), measured randomly with two internal standards, Lycopersicon esculentum and Pisum sativum. Differences in DNA content were confirmed (1) by the double peaks of simultaneously measured samples, (2) based on measurements carried out in different seasons, and (3) by additional measurements with propidium iodide.

KEY RESULTS

On a global scale, the relative DNA content ranged between 1.170-fold in diploids and 1.164-fold in tetraploids. A maximum difference of 1.088-fold between the mean relative DNA content of nearby populations was found. In 16 of 24 populations significant variability was shown (P<0.001, 1.121-fold as maximum). For both ploidy levels, the relative genome size had the same range and geographical pattern, correlated with geographical coordinates (P<0.01). Diploids with larger genomes occur on relict habitats (P<0.01), and in areas of periglacial steppes (20,000 years ago; P<0.02). In tetraploids, the relative DNA content differs among the three previously recognized geographical types (Alpine, Pannonian and Scabrifolia, P<0.001). Tetraploids have a relative DNA content smaller than twice that of the diploids (P<0.001). An influence of microhabitat on DNA content variation was not confirmed.

CONCLUSIONS

Genome size variability occurs over all spatial scales: intrapopulation, landscape and global. Correlation between geographical coordinates and palaeovegetation type, concomitant with diploids and tetraploids, and no influence of microhabitat were found. Genome size decreases in tetraploids. Lower CVs, and thus higher accuracy, resolution and reproducibility, favour DAPI measurements for the study of intraspecific genome size variability.

Analysis of the phenotypic effects of B chromosomes in a natural population of Metagagrella tenuipes (Arachnida: Opiliones)

Phenotypic effects of B chromosomes in a natural population of Metagagrella tenuipes (Arachnida: Opiliones) were studied. Mean number of Bs per individual in the population studied was 6.0, and remained stable during two successive summers of 1997 and 1998. In contrast to the number of B chromosomes, ratios between individuals possessing odd and those possessing even numbers of Bs changed during both collection seasons: the proportion of harvestmen with an even number of Bs decreased from June-July to October-November. A possible reason for this may be a difference in susceptibility to parasites between B-odd and B-even harvestmen. In the group of B-even individuals the percentage of infected harvestmen in the June-July samples was much higher compared to the B-odd group. In addition, the infection rate in the B-even group decreased more sharply than among B-odd harvestmen. In the group of B-even harvestmen infection was associated with reduced body size, whereas no such association was found among B-odd harvestmen. In the group of B-even individuals there was a U-shaped relationship between number of Bs and the probability of being infected by parasites, and an inverted-U-shaped relationship between body size and number of Bs. No such associations were found in the group of B-odd harvestmen. Seasonal selection is suggested to be a main factor contributing to the B-chromosome polymorphism in M. tenuipes.

B Chromosomes in White Spruce

In Picea glauca , the White Spruce, supernumerary, B chromosomes were found in 48 out of 51 North American populations investigated. The B chromosomes are of two kinds. The more common (B1) is metacentric. The other (B2) has a subterminal centromere. Giemsa staining at metaphase shows no trace of constitutive heterochromatin in B chromosomes, yet at interphase the B chromosomes are heteropycnotic. It is argued that the capacity for heterochromatization of the B chromosomes at interphase may be associated with gene inactivation as in the X chromosomes of female mammals. B2 is found in western regions only, i. e. west of the 95th meridian. B1 is found in both western and eastern regions but its frequency varies substantially among populations. In general there is a reduction in B frequency from east to west in both western and eastern regions of North America. Experimental results support the view that such variation is adaptive and, in part at least, caused by the differential mortality of plants with and without B chromosomes in particular environments. Evidence is presented which indicates that B2 was introduced into White Spruce following hybridization with Engelmann Spruce.

B chromosome selection in rye

As a consequence of selection the distribution and frequency of B chromosomes varies among survivors of rye seedlings planted in different environments. The mean B frequency per plant decreased under conditions of "high" as compared with "low" density of planting. Differences in weather and soil type between two sites also caused a significant shift in the distribution and frequency of B chromosomes.