The B Chromosomes of Prochilodus lineatus (Teleostei, Characiformes) Are Highly Enriched in Satellite DNAs

Cells. 2021 Jun 17;10(6):1527. doi: 10.3390/cells10061527.

Abstract

B or supernumerary chromosomes are dispensable elements that are widely present in numerous eukaryotes. Due to their non-recombining nature, there is an evident tendency for repetitive DNA accumulation in these elements. Thus, satellite DNA plays an important role in the evolution and diversification of B chromosomes and can provide clues regarding their origin. The characiform Prochilodus lineatus was one of the first discovered fish species bearing B chromosomes, with all populations analyzed so far showing one to nine micro-B chromosomes and exhibiting at least three morphological variants (Ba, Bsm, and Bm). To date, a single satellite DNA is known to be located on the B chromosomes of this species, but no information regarding the differentiation of the proposed B-types is available. Here, we characterized the satellitome of P. lineatus and mapped 35 satellite DNAs against the chromosomes of P. lineatus, of which six were equally located on all B-types and this indicates a similar genomic content. In addition, we describe, for the first time, an entire population without B chromosomes.

Keywords: Curimbatá; Cytogenomics; Prochilodus; Teleostei; concerted evolution; repetitive DNA; supernumerary chromosomes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Characiformes / genetics*
  • Chromosomes / genetics*
  • DNA, Satellite / genetics*
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Humans

Substances

  • DNA, Satellite