Brachypodium distachyon provides a particularly appealing object for molecular cytogenetic analysis due to its compact genome and low repetitive DNA content, as well as low (x = 5) basic number of chromosomes easily identifiable on the basis of their morphometric features. Some of these features, such as genome compactness, are shared by the other members of the genus, thus making them amenable for comparative cytogenetic mapping. Cytogenetic infrastructure established for B. distachyon was initially based on fluorescence in situ hybridization with various tandemly repeated sequences as probes. The molecular cytogenetic studies advanced greatly with the development of B. distachyon large DNA insert genomic libraries. These resources coupled with the access to the fully sequenced genome of B. distachyon enabled chromosome painting in monocots for the first time. This pioneering work was subsequently extended to other Brachypodium species, allowing insight into grass karyotype evolution. In this protocol we describe the methods of making somatic and meiotic chromosome preparations, probe labeling, FISH with BAC clones, a strategy for chromosome barcoding and chromosome painting in B. distachyon, and comparative chromosome painting in the other Brachypodium species.
Keywords: Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC); Brachypodium; Chromosome barcoding; Chromosome painting; Chromosome preparation; Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH); Meiosis; Mitosis; Molecular cytogenetics.