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Gerton JL. A working model for the formation of Robertsonian chromosomes. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs261912. [PMID: 38606789 PMCID: PMC11057876 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261912] [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: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Robertsonian chromosomes form by fusion of two chromosomes that have centromeres located near their ends, known as acrocentric or telocentric chromosomes. This fusion creates a new metacentric chromosome and is a major mechanism of karyotype evolution and speciation. Robertsonian chromosomes are common in nature and were first described in grasshoppers by the zoologist W. R. B. Robertson more than 100 years ago. They have since been observed in many species, including catfish, sheep, butterflies, bats, bovids, rodents and humans, and are the most common chromosomal change in mammals. Robertsonian translocations are particularly rampant in the house mouse, Mus musculus domesticus, where they exhibit meiotic drive and create reproductive isolation. Recent progress has been made in understanding how Robertsonian chromosomes form in the human genome, highlighting some of the fundamental principles of how and why these types of fusion events occur so frequently. Consequences of these fusions include infertility and Down's syndrome. In this Hypothesis, I postulate that the conditions that allow these fusions to form are threefold: (1) sequence homology on non-homologous chromosomes, often in the form of repetitive DNA; (2) recombination initiation during meiosis; and (3) physical proximity of the homologous sequences in three-dimensional space. This Hypothesis highlights the latest progress in understanding human Robertsonian translocations within the context of the broader literature on Robertsonian chromosomes.
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2
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Smoom R, May CL, Skordalakes E, Kaestner KH, Tzfati Y. Separation of telomere protection from length regulation by two different point mutations at amino acid 492 of RTEL1. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.26.582005. [PMID: 38464183 PMCID: PMC10925190 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.26.582005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
RTEL1 is an essential DNA helicase that plays multiple roles in genome stability and telomere length regulation. A variant of RTEL1 with a lysine at position 492 is associated with short telomeres in Mus spretus , while a conserved methionine at this position is found in M. musculus, which has ultra-long telomeres. In humans, a missense mutation at this position ( RTEL1 M492I ) causes a fatal telomere biology disease termed Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome (HHS). We previously described a M. musculus mouse model termed 'Telomouse', in which changing methionine 492 to a lysine (M492K) shortened the telomeres to their length in humans. Here, we report on the derivation of a mouse strain carrying the M492I mutation, termed 'HHS mouse'. The HHS mouse telomeres are not as short as those of Telomice but nevertheless they display higher levels of telomeric DNA damage, fragility and recombination, associated with anaphase bridges and micronuclei. These observations indicate that the two mutations separate critical functions of RTEL1: M492K mainly reduces the telomere length setpoint, while M492I predominantly disrupts telomere protection. The two mouse models enable dissecting the mechanistic roles of RTEL1 and the different contributions of short telomeres and DNA damage to telomere biology diseases, genomic instability, cancer, and aging.
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3
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Smoom R, May CL, Ortiz V, Tigue M, Kolev HM, Rowe M, Reizel Y, Morgan A, Egyes N, Lichtental D, Skordalakes E, Kaestner KH, Tzfati Y. Telomouse-a mouse model with human-length telomeres generated by a single amino acid change in RTEL1. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6708. [PMID: 37872177 PMCID: PMC10593777 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42534-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres, the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, protect genome integrity and enable cell proliferation. Maintaining optimal telomere length in the germline and throughout life limits the risk of cancer and enables healthy aging. Telomeres in the house mouse, Mus musculus, are about five times longer than human telomeres, limiting the use of this common laboratory animal for studying the contribution of telomere biology to aging and cancer. We identified a key amino acid variation in the helicase RTEL1, naturally occurring in the short-telomere mouse species M. spretus. Introducing this variation into M. musculus is sufficient to reduce the telomere length set point in the germline and generate mice with human-length telomeres. While these mice are fertile and appear healthy, the regenerative capacity of their colonic epithelium is compromised. The engineered Telomouse reported here demonstrates a dominant role of RTEL1 in telomere length regulation and provides a unique model for aging and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riham Smoom
- Department of Genetics, The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Catherine Lee May
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Vivian Ortiz
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Mark Tigue
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Hannah M Kolev
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Melissa Rowe
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Yitzhak Reizel
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Ashleigh Morgan
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Nachshon Egyes
- Department of Genetics, The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Dan Lichtental
- Department of Genetics, The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Emmanuel Skordalakes
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, 401 College St, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Klaus H Kaestner
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Yehuda Tzfati
- Department of Genetics, The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel.
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4
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Pepke ML, Ringsby TH, Eisenberg DTA. The evolution of early-life telomere length, pace-of-life and telomere-chromosome length dynamics in birds. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:2898-2912. [PMID: 36847070 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres, the short DNA sequences that protect chromosome ends, are an ancient molecular structure, which is highly conserved across most eukaryotes. Species differ in their telomere lengths, but the causes of this variation are not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that mean early-life telomere length is an evolutionary labile trait across 57 bird species (representing 35 families in 12 orders) with the greatest trait diversity found among passerines. Among these species, telomeres are significantly shorter in fast-lived than in slow-lived species, suggesting that telomere length may have evolved to mediate trade-offs between physiological requirements underlying the diversity of pace-of-life strategies in birds. This association was attenuated when excluding studies that may include interstitial telomeres in the estimation of mean telomere length. Curiously, within some species, larger individual chromosome size predicts longer telomere lengths on that chromosome, leading to the hypothesis that telomere length also covaries with chromosome length across species. We show that longer mean chromosome length or genome size tends to be associated with longer mean early-life telomere length (measured across all chromosomes) within a phylogenetic framework constituting up to 31 bird species. These associations were strengthened when excluding highly influential outliers. However, sensitivity analyses suggested that they were susceptible to sample size effects and not robust to the exclusion of studies that may include interstitial telomeres. Combined, our analyses generalize patterns previously found within a few species and provide potential adaptive explanations for the 10-fold variation in telomere lengths observed among birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Le Pepke
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Thor Harald Ringsby
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Dan T A Eisenberg
- Department of Anthropology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Centre for Studies in Demography and Ecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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5
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Lysak MA. Celebrating Mendel, McClintock, and Darlington: On end-to-end chromosome fusions and nested chromosome fusions. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:2475-2491. [PMID: 35441689 PMCID: PMC9252491 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The evolution of eukaryotic genomes is accompanied by fluctuations in chromosome number, reflecting cycles of chromosome number increase (polyploidy and centric fissions) and decrease (chromosome fusions). Although all chromosome fusions result from DNA recombination between two or more nonhomologous chromosomes, several mechanisms of descending dysploidy are exploited by eukaryotes to reduce their chromosome number. Genome sequencing and comparative genomics have accelerated the identification of inter-genome chromosome collinearity and gross chromosomal rearrangements and have shown that end-to-end chromosome fusions (EEFs) and nested chromosome fusions (NCFs) may have played a more important role in the evolution of eukaryotic karyotypes than previously thought. The present review aims to summarize the limited knowledge on the origin, frequency, and evolutionary implications of EEF and NCF events in eukaryotes and especially in land plants. The interactions between nonhomologous chromosomes in interphase nuclei and chromosome (mis)pairing during meiosis are examined for their potential importance in the origin of EEFs and NCFs. The remaining open questions that need to be addressed are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin A Lysak
- CEITEC—Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, CZ-625 00, Czech Republic
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6
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The impact of chromosomal fusions on 3D genome folding and recombination in the germ line. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2981. [PMID: 34016985 PMCID: PMC8137915 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23270-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The spatial folding of chromosomes inside the nucleus has regulatory effects on gene expression, yet the impact of genome reshuffling on this organization remains unclear. Here, we take advantage of chromosome conformation capture in combination with single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping and analysis of crossover events to study how the higher-order chromatin organization and recombination landscapes are affected by chromosomal fusions in the mammalian germ line. We demonstrate that chromosomal fusions alter the nuclear architecture during meiosis, including an increased rate of heterologous interactions in primary spermatocytes, and alterations in both chromosome synapsis and axis length. These disturbances in topology were associated with changes in genomic landscapes of recombination, resulting in detectable genomic footprints. Overall, we show that chromosomal fusions impact the dynamic genome topology of germ cells in two ways: (i) altering chromosomal nuclear occupancy and synapsis, and (ii) reshaping landscapes of recombination.
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7
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Chow PW, Abd Hamid Z, Mathialagan RD, Rajab NF, Shuib S, Sulong S. Clastogenicity and Aneugenicity of 1,4-Benzoquinone in Different Lineages of Mouse Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells. TOXICS 2021; 9:toxics9050107. [PMID: 34065823 PMCID: PMC8150741 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9050107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Previous reports on hematotoxicity and leukemogenicity related to benzene exposure highlighted its adverse effects on hematopoiesis. Despite the reported findings, studies concerning the mechanism of benzene affecting chromosomal integrity in lineage-committed hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) remain unclear. Here, we studied the clastogenicity and aneugenicity of benzene in lineage-committed HSPCs via karyotyping. Isolated mouse bone marrow cells (MBMCs) were exposed to the benzene metabolite 1,4-benzoquinone (1,4-BQ) at 1.25, 2.5, 5, 7, and 12 μM for 24 h, followed by karyotyping. Then, the chromosomal aberration (CA) in 1,4-BQ-exposed hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) comprising myeloid, Pre-B lymphoid, and erythroid lineages were evaluated following colony-forming cell (CFC) assay. Percentage of CA, predominantly via Robertsonian translocation (Rb), was increased significantly (p < 0.05) in MBMCs and all progenitors at all concentrations. As a comparison, Pre-B lymphoid progenitor demonstrated a significantly higher percentage of CA (p < 0.05) than erythroid progenitor at 1.25, 2.5, and 7 μM as well as a significantly higher percentage (p < 0.05) than myeloid progenitor at 7 μM of 1,4-BQ. In conclusion, 1,4-BQ induced CA, particularly via Rb in both MBMCs and HPCs, notably via a lineage-dependent response. The role of lineage specificity in governing the clastogenicity and aneugenicity of 1,4-BQ deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paik Wah Chow
- Biomedical Science Programme and Center for Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Investigative Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia; (P.W.C.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Zariyantey Abd Hamid
- Biomedical Science Programme and Center for Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Investigative Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia; (P.W.C.); (R.D.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +60-3-9289-7196
| | - Ramya Dewi Mathialagan
- Biomedical Science Programme and Center for Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Investigative Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia; (P.W.C.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Nor Fadilah Rajab
- Biomedical Science Programme and Center for Healthy Ageing & Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia;
| | - Salwati Shuib
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia;
| | - Sarina Sulong
- Human Genome Center, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan 16150, Malaysia;
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8
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Kim E, Kim J, Kim C, Lee J. Long-read sequencing and de novo genome assemblies reveal complex chromosome end structures caused by telomere dysfunction at the single nucleotide level. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:3338-3353. [PMID: 33693840 PMCID: PMC8034613 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Karyotype change and subsequent evolution is triggered by chromosome fusion and rearrangement events, which often occur when telomeres become dysfunctional. Telomeres protect linear chromosome ends from DNA damage responses (DDRs), and telomere dysfunction may result in genome instability. However, the complex chromosome end structures and the other possible consequences of telomere dysfunction have rarely been resolved at the nucleotide level due to the lack of the high-throughput methods needed to analyse these highly repetitive regions. Here we applied long-read sequencing technology to Caenorhabditis elegans survivor lines that emerged after telomere dysfunction. The survivors have preserved traces of DDRs in their genomes and our data revealed that variants generated by telomere dysfunction are accumulated along all chromosomes. The reconstruction of the chromosome end structures through de novo genome assemblies revealed diverse types of telomere damage processing at the nucleotide level. When telomeric repeats were totally eroded by telomere dysfunction, DDRs were mostly terminated by chromosome fusion events. We also partially reconstructed the most complex end structure and its DDR signatures, which would have been accumulated via multiple cell divisions. These finely resolved chromosome end structures suggest possible mechanisms regarding the repair processes after telomere dysfunction, providing insights into chromosome evolution in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunkyeong Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Jun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea.,Research Institute of Basic Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Chuna Kim
- Aging Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Gwahak-ro 125, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Junho Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.,Research Institute of Basic Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
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9
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Meiotic Chromosome Contacts as a Plausible Prelude for Robertsonian Translocations. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11040386. [PMID: 32252399 PMCID: PMC7230836 DOI: 10.3390/genes11040386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Robertsonian translocations are common chromosomal alterations. Chromosome variability affects human health and natural evolution. Despite the significance of such mutations, no mechanisms explaining the emergence of such translocations have yet been demonstrated. Several models have explored possible changes in interphase nuclei. Evidence for non-homologous chromosomes end joining in meiosis is scarce, and is often limited to uncovering mechanisms in damaged cells only. This study presents a primarily qualitative analysis of contacts of non-homologous chromosomes by short arms, during meiotic prophase I in the mole vole, Ellobius alaicus, a species with a variable karyotype, due to Robertsonian translocations. Immunocytochemical staining of spermatocytes demonstrated the presence of four contact types for non-homologous chromosomes in meiotic prophase I: (1) proximity, (2) touching, (3) anchoring/tethering, and (4) fusion. Our results suggest distinct mechanisms for chromosomal interactions in meiosis. Thus, we propose to change the translocation mechanism model from ‘contact first’ to ‘contact first in meiosis’.
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10
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Kim C, Sung S, Kim J, Lee J. Repair and Reconstruction of Telomeric and Subtelomeric Regions and Genesis of New Telomeres: Implications for Chromosome Evolution. Bioessays 2020; 42:e1900177. [PMID: 32236965 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201900177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
DNA damage repair within telomeres are suppressed to maintain the integrity of linear chromosomes, but the accidental activation of repairs can lead to genome instability. This review develops the concept that mechanisms to repair DNA damage in telomeres contribute to genetic variability and karyotype evolution, rather than catastrophe. Spontaneous breaks in telomeres can be repaired by telomerase, but in some cases DNA repair pathways are activated, and can cause chromosomal rearrangements or fusions. The resultant changes can also affect subtelomeric regions that are adjacent to telomeres. Subtelomeres are actively involved in such chromosomal changes, and are therefore the most variable regions in the genome. The case of Caenorhabditis elegans in the context of changes of subtelomeric structures revealed by long-read sequencing is also discussed. Theoretical and methodological issues covered in this review will help to explore the mechanism of chromosome evolution by reconstruction of chromosomal ends in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuna Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08827, Korea.,Aging Research Institute, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Gwahak-ro 125, Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Sanghyun Sung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08827, Korea
| | - Jun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08827, Korea
| | - Junho Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08827, Korea
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11
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Vara C, Capilla L, Ferretti L, Ledda A, Sánchez-Guillén RA, Gabriel SI, Albert-Lizandra G, Florit-Sabater B, Bello-Rodríguez J, Ventura J, Searle JB, Mathias ML, Ruiz-Herrera A. PRDM9 Diversity at Fine Geographical Scale Reveals Contrasting Evolutionary Patterns and Functional Constraints in Natural Populations of House Mice. Mol Biol Evol 2020; 36:1686-1700. [PMID: 31004162 PMCID: PMC6657731 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msz091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the major challenges in evolutionary biology is the identification of the genetic basis of postzygotic reproductive isolation. Given its pivotal role in this process, here we explore the drivers that may account for the evolutionary dynamics of the PRDM9 gene between continental and island systems of chromosomal variation in house mice. Using a data set of nearly 400 wild-caught mice of Robertsonian systems, we identify the extent of PRDM9 diversity in natural house mouse populations, determine the phylogeography of PRDM9 at a local and global scale based on a new measure of pairwise genetic divergence, and analyze selective constraints. We find 57 newly described PRDM9 variants, this diversity being especially high on Madeira Island, a result that is contrary to the expectations of reduced variation for island populations. Our analysis suggest that the PRDM9 allelic variability observed in Madeira mice might be influenced by the presence of distinct chromosomal fusions resulting from a complex pattern of introgression or multiple colonization events onto the island. Importantly, we detect a significant reduction in the proportion of PRDM9 heterozygotes in Robertsonian mice, which showed a high degree of similarity in the amino acids responsible for protein–DNA binding. Our results suggest that despite the rapid evolution of PRDM9 and the variability detected in natural populations, functional constraints could facilitate the accumulation of allelic combinations that maintain recombination hotspot symmetry. We anticipate that our study will provide the basis for examining the role of different PRDM9 genetic backgrounds in reproductive isolation in natural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Covadonga Vara
- Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Biologia Cel.lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Capilla
- Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luca Ferretti
- Oxford Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alice Ledda
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rosa A Sánchez-Guillén
- Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Instituto de Ecología AC (INECOL), Red de Biología Evolutiva, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Sofia I Gabriel
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Guillermo Albert-Lizandra
- Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Biologia Cel.lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Beatriu Florit-Sabater
- Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Biologia Cel.lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judith Bello-Rodríguez
- Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Biologia Cel.lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jacint Ventura
- Departament de Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jeremy B Searle
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Maria L Mathias
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Aurora Ruiz-Herrera
- Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Biologia Cel.lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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12
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Vara C, Paytuví-Gallart A, Cuartero Y, Le Dily F, Garcia F, Salvà-Castro J, Gómez-H L, Julià E, Moutinho C, Aiese Cigliano R, Sanseverino W, Fornas O, Pendás AM, Heyn H, Waters PD, Marti-Renom MA, Ruiz-Herrera A. Three-Dimensional Genomic Structure and Cohesin Occupancy Correlate with Transcriptional Activity during Spermatogenesis. Cell Rep 2019; 28:352-367.e9. [PMID: 31291573 PMCID: PMC6635386 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian gametogenesis involves dramatic and tightly regulated chromatin remodeling, whose regulatory pathways remain largely unexplored. Here, we generate a comprehensive high-resolution structural and functional atlas of mouse spermatogenesis by combining in situ chromosome conformation capture sequencing (Hi-C), RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) of CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) and meiotic cohesins, coupled with confocal and super-resolution microscopy. Spermatogonia presents well-defined compartment patterns and topological domains. However, chromosome occupancy and compartmentalization are highly re-arranged during prophase I, with cohesins bound to active promoters in DNA loops out of the chromosomal axes. Compartment patterns re-emerge in round spermatids, where cohesin occupancy correlates with transcriptional activity of key developmental genes. The compact sperm genome contains compartments with actively transcribed genes but no fine-scale topological domains, concomitant with the presence of protamines. Overall, we demonstrate how genome-wide cohesin occupancy and transcriptional activity is associated with three-dimensional (3D) remodeling during spermatogenesis, ultimately reprogramming the genome for the next generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Covadonga Vara
- Departament de Biologia Cel.lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain; Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain
| | - Andreu Paytuví-Gallart
- Departament de Biologia Cel.lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain; Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain; Sequentia Biotech, Carrer Comte D'Urgell 240, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Yasmina Cuartero
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Carrer del Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain; CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 4, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - François Le Dily
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Carrer del Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain; CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 4, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Francisca Garcia
- Unitat de Cultius Cel.lulars, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain
| | - Judit Salvà-Castro
- Departament de Biologia Cel.lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain; Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain
| | - Laura Gómez-H
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca 37007, Spain
| | - Eva Julià
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Carrer del Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain; Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Carrer del Doctor Aiguader 88, PRBB Building, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Catia Moutinho
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 4, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | | | | | - Oscar Fornas
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Carrer del Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Alberto M Pendás
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca 37007, Spain
| | - Holger Heyn
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 4, Barcelona 08028, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Paul D Waters
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Marc A Marti-Renom
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Carrer del Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain; CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 4, Barcelona 08028, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain; ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona 08010, Spain.
| | - Aurora Ruiz-Herrera
- Departament de Biologia Cel.lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain; Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain.
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Aksenova AY, Mirkin SM. At the Beginning of the End and in the Middle of the Beginning: Structure and Maintenance of Telomeric DNA Repeats and Interstitial Telomeric Sequences. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10020118. [PMID: 30764567 PMCID: PMC6410037 DOI: 10.3390/genes10020118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tandem DNA repeats derived from the ancestral (TTAGGG)n run were first detected at chromosome ends of the majority of living organisms, hence the name telomeric DNA repeats. Subsequently, it has become clear that telomeric motifs are also present within chromosomes, and they were suitably called interstitial telomeric sequences (ITSs). It is well known that telomeric DNA repeats play a key role in chromosome stability, preventing end-to-end fusions and precluding the recurrent DNA loss during replication. Recent data suggest that ITSs are also important genomic elements as they confer its karyotype plasticity. In fact, ITSs appeared to be among the most unstable microsatellite sequences as they are highly length polymorphic and can trigger chromosomal fragility and gross chromosomal rearrangements. Importantly, mechanisms responsible for their instability appear to be similar to the mechanisms that maintain the length of genuine telomeres. This review compares the mechanisms of maintenance and dynamic properties of telomeric repeats and ITSs and discusses the implications of these dynamics on genome stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Y Aksenova
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Sergei M Mirkin
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02421, USA.
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Mezzasalma M, Andreone F, Aprea G, Glaw F, Odierna G, Guarino FM. When can chromosomes drive speciation? The peculiar case of the Malagasy tomato frogs (genus Dyscophus). ZOOL ANZ 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2017.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Bolzán AD. Interstitial telomeric sequences in vertebrate chromosomes: Origin, function, instability and evolution. MUTATION RESEARCH-REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2017; 773:51-65. [PMID: 28927537 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
By definition, telomeric sequences are located at the very ends or terminal regions of chromosomes. However, several vertebrate species show blocks of (TTAGGG)n repeats present in non-terminal regions of chromosomes, the so-called interstitial telomeric sequences (ITSs), interstitial telomeric repeats or interstitial telomeric bands, which include those intrachromosomal telomeric-like repeats located near (pericentromeric ITSs) or within the centromere (centromeric ITSs) and those telomeric repeats located between the centromere and the telomere (i.e., truly interstitial telomeric sequences) of eukaryotic chromosomes. According with their sequence organization, localization and flanking sequences, ITSs can be classified into four types: 1) short ITSs, 2) subtelomeric ITSs, 3) fusion ITSs, and 4) heterochromatic ITSs. The first three types have been described mainly in the human genome, whereas heterochromatic ITSs have been found in several vertebrate species but not in humans. Several lines of evidence suggest that ITSs play a significant role in genome instability and evolution. This review aims to summarize our current knowledge about the origin, function, instability and evolution of these telomeric-like repeats in vertebrate chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro D Bolzán
- Laboratorio de Citogenética y Mutagénesis, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE, CICPBA-UNLP-CONICET La Plata), C.C. 403, 1900 La Plata, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, UNLP, Calle 60 y 122, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
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