Molecular Cytogenetic Analysis of Karyotype and Y Chromosome Conservation in Species of the Genus < b > < i > Talpa < /i > < /b > (Insectivora)

The Talpidae family has a highly stable karyotype. Most of the chromosome studies in this mammal group, however, employed classical cytogenetic techniques. Molecular cytogenetic analyses are still scarce and, for example, no repeated DNA sequences have been described to date. In this work, we used sequence analysis, chromosomal mapping of a LINE1 retroelement sequence, as well as chromosome painting with a whole Y chromosome probe ofT. occidentalis to compare the karyotypes of 3 species of the genusTalpa (T. occidentalis, T. romana, andT. aquitania). Our results demonstrate that inTalpa genomes LINE1 sequences are widely distributed on all chromosomes but are enriched in pericentromeric C-band-positive regions. In addition, these LINE1 accumulate on the Y chromosomes of the 3Talpa species regardless of their euchromatic or heterochromatic condition. Chromosome painting shows that the Y chromosomes in these 3 species are highly conserved. Interestingly, they share sequences with heterochromatic blocks on chromosome pairs 14 and 16 and, to a lesser degree, with the pericentromeric regions of other autosomes. Together, our analyses demonstrate that the repetitive DNA content of chromosomes fromTalpa species is highly conserved.Cytogenet Genome Res

Source: Cytogenetic and Genome Research - May 8, 2020 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research