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Characterization of satellite CentC repeats from heterochromatic regions on the long arm of maize B-chromosome

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Abstract

The B-chromosome of maize contains an A-chromosome centromere-specific satellite CentC repeat in its centromere region (CENB) and at multiple locations in its distal heterochromatic regions (BDHs). Because CentC is highly repetitive, it is a challenge to study CentC sequences within individual centromeres or chromosome regions. The combined structure of CentC and a BDH-specific CL-repeat has allowed us to isolate CentC sequences from BDHs. In the study described herein, we have used a PCR method to amplify 13 CL-CentC variant products that were specifically mapped to A-centromeres (CENAs), the CENB, and BDHs via the tertiary trisomes and hypoploids of five B-10L translocations. Cloning and sequence analyses of these CL-CentC products have revealed a local CentC homogenization within the three CentC-containing regions. Phylogenetic analysis has indicated that the CentC sequences of BDHs are more closely related to those of CENAs in comparison to that of the CENB. Furthermore, the CentC monomers that are within the CENB are more diverse than those within BDHs and CENAs. These results shed light on the evolution of CentC repeats on the B-chromosome and provide a better understanding of B-chromosome evolution.

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Abbreviations

CENB:

B-chromosome centromere

CENAs:

A-chromosome centromeres

BDHs:

Distal heterochromatic regions of the B-chromosome

BS:

B short arm

CK:

Centromeric knob

PE:

Proximal euchromatic region

DH:

Distal heterochromatic region

DE:

Distal euchromatic tip

FISH:

Fluorescence in situ hybridization

TT:

Tertiary trisome

HO:

Hypoploid

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Acknowledgment

This work was supported by the National Sciences Council grant of Taiwan (NSC99-2311-B-005-003-MY3).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Shu-Fen Peng

  2. Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Shu-Fen Peng

  3. Department of Agronomy, National Chung Hsing University, 250 Kuo Kuang Road, Taichung, 402, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Ya-Ming Cheng

Authors
  1. Shu-Fen Peng
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  2. Ya-Ming Cheng
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Correspondence to Ya-Ming Cheng.

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Responsible Editor: Hans de Jong.

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Supplementary Figure 1

Diagram of the pB51-15 sequences showing the PCR primers landing sites. The CL-repeat primer (CL-1) and CentC primer (BCentC-1) were designed from sequences of the B-clone (pB51-15, AY426743; Cheng and Lin 2004). Gray box CL-repeat monomer, red box CentC monomer, arrow primers binding site (GIF 12 kb)

High resolution image (TIFF 29 kb)

Supplementary Figure 2

Sequence logo analysis of CentC monomers. Logos display the consensus sequences of complete CentC monomers from CC7TT, CC7HO, and CC0B clones (upper panel), and the selected nucleotides significantly different among CentC sequences of the three origins (lower panel) (GIF 471 kb)

High resolution image (TIFF 1472 kb)

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Peng, SF., Cheng, YM. Characterization of satellite CentC repeats from heterochromatic regions on the long arm of maize B-chromosome. Chromosome Res 19, 183–191 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10577-010-9183-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10577-010-9183-2

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