NTRS, a new family of highly repetitive DNAs specific for the T1 chromosome of tobacco

A refined Panax ginseng karyotype based on an ultra-high copy 167-bp tandem repeat and ribosomal DNAs

Background

Panax ginseng Meyer (Asian ginseng) has a large nuclear genome size of > 3.5 Gbp in haploid genome equivalent of 24 chromosomes. Tandem repeats (TRs) occupy significant portions of the genome in many plants and are often found in specific genomic loci, making them a valuable molecular cytogenetic tool in discriminating chromosomes. In an effort to understand the P. ginseng genome structure, we characterized an ultrahigh copy 167-bp TR (Pg167TR) and explored its chromosomal distribution as well as its utility for chromosome identification.

Methods

Polymerase chain reaction amplicons of Pg167TR were labeled, along with 5S and 45S rDNA amplicons, using a direct nick-translation method. Direct fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to analyze the chromosomal distribution of Pg167TR.

Results

Recently, we reported a method of karyotyping the 24 chromosome pairs of P. ginseng using rDNA and DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) bands. Here, a unique distribution of Pg167TR in all 24 P. ginseng chromosomes was observed, allowing easy identification of individual homologous chromosomes. Additionally, direct labeling of 5S and 45S rDNA probes allowed the identification of two additional 5S rDNA loci not previously reported, enabling the refinement of the P. ginseng karyotype.

Conclusion

Identification of individual P. ginseng chromosomes was achieved using Pg167TR-FISH. Chromosome identification is important in understanding the P. ginseng genome structure, and our method will be useful for future integration of genetic linkage maps and genome scaffold anchoring. Additionally, it is a good tool for comparative studies with related species in efforts to understand the evolution of P. ginseng.

Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of fifteen NtabSPL genes in Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Qinyan95

Fifteen SPL (SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE) genes were identified and characterized in Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Qinyan95. The exon-intron structures of these genes were determined according to the coding sequences confirmed by RT-PCR and the genomic DNA sequences downloaded from the databases in Sol Genomics Network, and thirteen of them were found to carry the response element of miR156. To elucidate the origin of the validated NtabSPL genes, multiple alignments of the nucleotide sequences encompassing the open reading frames were conducted by using the orthologs in N. tabacum, Nicotiana sylvestris, Nicotiana tomentosiformis, and Nicotiana otophora. The results showed that six NtabSPL genes were derived from a progenitor of N. sylvestris, and nine NtabSPL genes were derived from a progenitor of N. tomentosiformis, further corroborating that N. tabacum came from the interspecific hybridization between the ancestors of N. sylvestris and N. tomentosiformis. In contrast to previous statements about highly repetitive sequences, the genome of N. tabacum mainly retained the paternal-derived SPL genes in diploidization process. Phylogenetic analyses based on the highly conserved SBP (SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN) domains and the full-length amino acid sequences reveal that the SPL proteins of tobacco, tomato, and Arabidopsis can be categorized into eight groups. It is worth noting that N. tabacum contains seven NtabSPL6 genes originated from two parental genomes and NtabSPL6-2 possesses a GC-AG intron. In addition, transgenic tobacco plants harboring Arabidopsis Pri-miR156A were generated by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method, and the constitutive expression of miR156 could obviously inhibit the activity of the NtabSPL genes containing its target site, suggesting the function of miR156 is conservative in tobacco and Arabidopsis.

Evaluation of DNA bending models in their capacity to predict electrophoretic migration anomalies of satellite DNA sequences

DNA containing a sequence that generates a local curvature exhibits a pronounced retardation in electrophoretic mobility. Various theoretical models have been proposed to explain relationship between DNA structural features and migration anomaly. Here, we studied the capacity of 15 static wedge-bending models to predict electrophoretic behavior of 69 satellite monomers derived from four divergent families. All monomers exhibited retarded mobility in PAGE corresponding to retardation factors ranging 1.02-1.54. The curvature varied both within and across the groups and correlated with the number, position, and lengths of A-tracts. Two dinucleotide models provided strong correlation between gel mobility and curvature prediction; two trinucleotide models were satisfactory while remaining dinucleotide models provided intermediate results with reliable prediction for subsets of sequences only. In some cases, similarly shaped molecules exhibited relatively large differences in mobility and vice versa. Generally less accurate predictions were obtained in groups containing less homogeneous sequences possessing distinct structural features. In conclusion, relatively universal theoretical models were identified suitable for the analysis of natural sequences known to harbor relatively moderate curvature. These models could be potentially applied to genome wide studies. However, in silico predictions should be viewed in context of experimental measurement of intrinsic DNA curvature.

Tobacco karyotyping by accurate centromere identification and novel repetitive DNA localization

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is an amphidiploid species (2n = 4x = 48, genome constitution SSTT) derived from a natural hybrid between Nicotiana sylvestris (2n = 2x = 24, SS) and Nicotiana tomentosiformis (2n = 2x = 24, TT). Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), using the genomic DNA from these ancestral species as probes, revealed the chromosomal origins (S or T) and the occurrence of intergenomic translocations in N. tabacum. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was also used to distinguish between chromosomes. However, the use of repetitive DNA sequences as probes for FISH analysis is limited by an inability to identify all chromosomes. In addition to this limitation, the occurrence of chromosomal tertiary constrictions can easily lead to the misclassification of chromosomes. To overcome these issues, immunostaining with anti-N. tabacum centromere-specific histone H3 antibody was carried out to determine the centromere position of each chromosome, followed by FISH analysis with ten distinct repetitive DNA probes. This approach allowed us to identify 22 of the 24 chromosome pairs in N. tabacum and revealed novel intergenomic chromosome rearrangements and B-chromosome-like minichromosomes. Hence, the combination of immunostaining with FISH and GISH is critical to accurately karyotype tobacco.

The roles of the monomer length and nucleotide context of plant tandem repeats in nucleosome positioning

Similar to regularly spaced nucleosomes in chromatin, long tandem DNA arrays are composed of regularly alternating monomers that have almost identical primary DNA structures. Such a similarity in the structural organization makes these arrays especially interesting for studying the role of intrinsic DNA preferences in nucleosome positioning. We have studied the nucleosome formation potential of DNA tandem repeat families with different monomer lengths (ML). In total, 165 plant tandem repeat families from the PlantSat database (http://w3lamc.umbr.cas.cz/PlantSat/) were divided into two classes based on the number of nucleosome repeats in one DNA monomer. For predicting nucleosome formation potential, we developed the Phase method, which combines the advantages of multiple bioinformatics models. The Phase method was able to distinguish interfamily differences and intrafamily monomer variation and identify the influence of nucleotide context on nucleosome formation potential. Three main types of nucleosome arrangement in DNA tandem repeat arrays--regular, partially regular (partial), and flexible--were distinguished among a great variety of Phase profiles. The regular type, in which all nucleosomes of the monomer array are positioned in a context-dependent manner, is the most representative type of the class 1 families, with ML equal to or a multiple of the nucleosome repeat length (NRL). In the partially regular type, nucleotide context influences the positioning of only a subset of nucleosomes. The influence of the nucleotide context on nucleosome positioning has the least effect in the flexible type, which contains the greatest number of families (65). The majority of these families belong to class 2 and have nonmultiple ML to NRL ratios.

Analysis of two abundant, highly related satellites in the allotetraploid Nicotiana arentsii using double-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and sequencing

• Allopolyploidy, a driving force in plant evolution, can induce rapid structural changes in parental subgenomes. Here, we examined the fate of homologous subtelomeric satellites in intrasection allotetraploid Nicotiana arentsii formed from N. undulata and N. wigandioides progenitors < 200,000 yr ago. • We cloned and sequenced a number of monomers from progenitors and the allotetraploid. Structural features of both cloned and genomic monomers were studied using double-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. • Two homologous satellites were isolated from N. undulata (called NUNSSP) and N. wigandioides (NWISSP). While the NUNSSP monomers were highly homogeneous in nucleotide sequences, the NWISSP monomers formed two separate clades. Likewise, the genomic NUNSSP monomers showed less DNA conformation heterogeneity than NWISSP monomers, with distinct conformations. While both satellites predominantly occupy subtelomeric positions, a fraction of the NWISSP repeats was found in an intercalary location, supporting the hypothesis that dispersion prevents the repeats becoming homogeneous. Sequence, structural and chromosomal features of the parental satellites were faithfully inherited by N. arentsii. • Our study revealed that intergenomic homogenization of subtelomeric satellite repeats does not occur in N. arentsii allotetraploid. We propose that the sequence and structural divergence of subtelomeric satellites may render allopolyploid chromosomes less vulnerable to intergenomic exchanges.

Next generation sequencing reveals genome downsizing in allotetraploid Nicotiana tabacum, predominantly through the elimination of paternally derived repetitive DNAs

We used next generation sequencing to characterize and compare the genomes of the recently derived allotetraploid, Nicotiana tabacum (<200,000 years old), with its diploid progenitors, Nicotiana sylvestris (maternal, S-genome donor), and Nicotiana tomentosiformis (paternal, T-genome donor). Analysis of 14,634 repetitive DNA sequences in the genomes of the progenitor species and N. tabacum reveal all major types of retroelements found in angiosperms (genome proportions range between 17-22.5% and 2.3-3.5% for Ty3-gypsy elements and Ty1-copia elements, respectively). The diploid N. sylvestris genome exhibits evidence of recent bursts of sequence amplification and/or homogenization, whereas the genome of N. tomentosiformis lacks this signature and has considerably fewer homogenous repeats. In the derived allotetraploid N. tabacum, there is evidence of genome downsizing and sequences loss across most repeat types. This is particularly evident amongst the Ty3-gypsy retroelements in which all families identified are underrepresented in N. tabacum, as is 35S ribosomal DNA. Analysis of all repetitive DNA sequences indicates the T-genome of N. tabacum has experienced greater sequence loss than the S-genome, revealing preferential loss of paternally derived repetitive DNAs at a genome-wide level. Thus, the three genomes of N. sylvestris, N. tomentosiformis, and N. tabacum have experienced different evolutionary trajectories, with genomes that are dynamic, stable, and downsized, respectively.

Faithful inheritance of cytosine methylation patterns in repeated sequences of the allotetraploid tobacco correlates with the expression of DNA methyltransferase gene families from both parental genomes

The widespread occurrence of epigenetic alterations in allopolyploid species deserves scrutiny that DNA methylation systems may be perturbed by interspecies hybridization and polyploidization. Here we studied the genes involved in DNA methylation in Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) allotetraploid containing S and T genomes inherited from Nicotiana sylvestris and Nicotiana tomentosiformis progenitors. To determine the inheritance of DNA methyltransferase genes and their expression patterns we examined three major DNA methyltransferase families (MET1, CMT3 and DRM) from tobacco and the progenitor species. Using Southern blot hybridization and PCR-based methods (genomic CAPS), we found that the parental loci of these gene families are retained in tobacco. Homoeologous expression was found in all tissues examined (leaf, root, flower) suggesting that DNA methyltransferase genes were probably not themselves targets of uniparental epigenetic silencing for over thousands of generations of allotetraploid evolution. The level of CG and CHG methylation of selected high-copy repeated sequences was similar and high in tobacco and its diploid progenitors. We speculate that natural selection might favor additive expression of parental DNA methyltransferase genes maintaining high levels of DNA methylation in tobacco, which has a repeat-rich heterochromatic genome.

Plant 5S rDNA has multiple alternative nucleosome positions

In plants, 5S ribosomal DNA (5S rDNA) is typically found in hundreds of copies of tandemly arranged units. Nucleotide database searches revealed that the majority of 5S genes (>90%) have repeat lengths that are not simple multiples of a plant nucleosomal unit, ranging in plants from 175-185 bp. To get insight into the chromatin structure, we have determined positions of nucleosomes in the Nicotiana sylvestris and Nicotiana tomentosiformis 5S rDNA units with repeat lengths of about 430 and 645 bp, respectively. Mapping experiments carried out on isolated nucleo somal DNA revealed many (>50) micrococcal nuclease cleavage sites in each class of repeats. Permutation analysis and theoretical computer prediction showed multiple DNA bend sites, mostly located in the nontranscribed spacer region. The distance between bend sites, however, did not correspond to the average spacing of nucleosomes in 5S chromatin (approximately 180 bp). These data indicate that 5S rDNA does not have fixed nucleosomal positioning sites and that units can be wrapped in a number of alternative nucleosome frames. Consequently, accessibility of transcription factors to cognate motifs might vary across the tandem array, potentially influencing gene expression.

Sequence homogenization and chromosomal localization of VicTR-B satellites differ between closely related Vicia species

Satellite sequences of the VicTR-B family are specific for the genus Vicia (Leguminosae), but their abundance varies among the species, being the highest in Vicia sativa and Vicia grandiflora. In this study, we have sequenced multiple randomly cloned VicTR-B fragments from these two species and analyzed their sequence variability, periodicity, and chromosomal localization. We have found that V. sativa VicTR-B sequences are homogeneous with respect to their nucleotide sequences and periodicity (monomers of 38 bp), whereas V. grandiflora repeats are considerably more variable, occurring in at least four distinct sequence subfamilies. Although the periodicity of 38 bp was conserved in most of the V. grandiflora sequences, one of the subfamilies was composed of higher-order repeats of 186 bp, which originated from a pentamer of the basic repeated unit. Individual VicTR-B subfamilies were preferentially located in either intercalary or subtelomeric regions of chromosomes. Interestingly, two V. grandiflora subfamilies with the highest similarity to V. sativa VicTR-B sequences were located in intercalary heterochromatic bands, showing similar chromosomal distribution as the majority of VicTR-B repeats in V. sativa. The other two V. grandiflora subfamilies showing a considerable divergence from V. sativa sequences were found to be accumulated at subtelomeric regions of V. grandiflora chromosomes.

Preferential elimination of repeated DNA sequences from the paternal, Nicotiana tomentosiformis genome donor of a synthetic, allotetraploid tobacco

Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco, 2n = 4x = 48) is a natural allotetraploid combining two ancestral genomes closely related to modern Nicotiana sylvestris and Nicotiana tomentosiformis. Here we examine the immediate consequences of allopolyploidy on genome evolution using 20 S4-generation plants derived from a single synthetic, S0 plant made by Burk in 1973 (Th37). Using molecular and cytogenetic methods we analysed 14 middle and highly repetitive sequences that together total approximately 4% of the genome. Two repeats related to endogenous geminiviruses (GRD5) and pararetroviruses (NtoEPRV), and two classes of satellite repeats (NTRS, A1/A2) were partially or completely eliminated at variable frequency (25-60%). These sequences are all from the N. tomentosiformis parent. Genomic in situ hybridization revealed additivity in chromosome numbers in two plants (2n = 48), while a third was aneuploid for an N. tomentosiformis-origin chromosome (2n = 49). Two plants had homozygous translocations between chromosomes of the S- and T-genomes. * The data demonstrate that genetic changes in synthetic tobacco were fast, targeted to the paternal N. tomentosiformis-donated genome, and some of the changes showed concordance with changes that presumably occurred during evolution of natural tobacco.

Dynamic changes in the distribution of a satellite homologous to intergenic 26-18S rDNA spacer in the evolution of Nicotiana

An approximately 135-bp sequence called the A1/A2 repeat was isolated from the transcribed region of the 26-18S rDNA intergenic spacer (IGS) of Nicotiana tomentosiformis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and Southern blot analysis revealed its occurrence as an independent satellite (termed an A1/A2 satellite) outside of rDNA loci in species of Nicotiana section Tomentosae. The chromosomal location, patterns of genomic dispersion, and copy numbers of its tandemly arranged units varied between the species. In more distantly related Nicotiana species the A1/A2 repeats were found only at the nucleolar organizer regions (NOR). There was a trend toward the elimination of the A1/A2 satellite in N. tabacum (tobacco), an allotetraploid with parents closely related to the diploids N. sylvestris and N. tomentosiformis. This process may have already commenced in an S(3) generation of synthetic tobacco. Cytosine residues in the IGS were significantly hypomethylated compared with the A1/A2 satellite. There was no clear separation between the IGS and satellite fractions in sequence analysis of individual clones and we found no evidence for CG suppression. Taken together the data indicate a dynamic nature of the A1/A2 repeats in Nicotiana genomes, with evidence for recurrent integration, copy number expansions, and contractions.

Dynamic Changes in the Distribution of a Satellite Homologous to Intergenic 26-18S rDNA Spacer in the Evolution of Nicotiana

An ∼135-bp sequence called the A1/A2 repeat was isolated from the transcribed region of the 26-18S rDNA intergenic spacer (IGS) of Nicotiana tomentosiformis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and Southern blot analysis revealed its occurrence as an independent satellite (termed an A1/A2 satellite) outside of rDNA loci in species of Nicotiana section Tomentosae. The chromosomal location, patterns of genomic dispersion, and copy numbers of its tandemly arranged units varied between the species. In more distantly related Nicotiana species the A1/A2 repeats were found only at the nucleolar organizer regions (NOR). There was a trend toward the elimination of the A1/A2 satellite in N. tabacum (tobacco), an allotetraploid with parents closely related to the diploids N. sylvestris and N. tomentosiformis. This process may have already commenced in an S3 generation of synthetic tobacco. Cytosine residues in the IGS were significantly hypomethylated compared with the A1/A2 satellite. There was no clear separation between the IGS and satellite fractions in sequence analysis of individual clones and we found no evidence for CG suppression. Taken together the data indicate a dynamic nature of the A1/A2 repeats in Nicotiana genomes, with evidence for recurrent integration, copy number expansions, and contractions.

AFLP analysis of genetic polymorphism and evolutionary relationships among cultivated and wild Nicotiana species

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was used to determine the degree of intra- and inter-specific genetic variation in the genus Nicotiana. Forty-six lines of cultivated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and seven wild Nicotiana species, including N. sylvestris, N. tomentosiformis, N. otophora, N. glutinosa, N. suaveolens, N. rustica, and N. longiflora, were analyzed, using at least eight different oligonucleotide primer combinations capable of detecting a minimum of 50 polymorphic bands per primer pair. The amount of genetic polymorphism present among cultivated tobacco lines (N. tabacum) was limited, as evidenced by the high degree of similarity in the AFLP profiles of cultivars collected worldwide. Six major clusters were found within cultivated tobacco that were primarily based upon geographic origin and manufacturing quality traits. A greater amount of genetic polymorphism exists among wild species of Nicotiana than among cultivated forms. Pairwise comparisons of the AFLP profiles of wild and cultivated Nicotiana species show that polymorphic bands present in N. tabacum can be found in at least one of three proposed wild progenitor species (i.e., N. sylvestris, N. tomentosiformis, and N. otophora). This observation provides additional support for these species contributing to the origin of N. tabacum.Key words: AFLP, evolution, genetic diversity, Nicotiana, tobacco, wild relatives of tobacco.

TAS49--a dispersed repetitive sequence isolated from subtelomeric regions of Nicotiana tomentosiformis chromosomes

We have isolated and characterized a new repetitive sequence, TAS49, from terminal restriction fragments of Nicotiana tomentosiformis genomic DNA by means of a modified vectorette approach. The TAS49 was found directly attached to telomeres of N. tabacum and one of its ancestors, N. tomentosiformis, and also at inner chromosome locations. No association with telomeres was detected neither in N. otophora nor in the second tobacco ancestor, N. sylvestris. PCR and Southern hybridization reveal similarities in the arrangement of TAS49 on the chromosomes of 9 species of the genus Nicotiana, implying its occurrence as a subunit of a conserved complex DNA repeat. TAS49 belongs to the family of dispersed repetitive sequences without features of transposons. The copy number of TAS49 varies widely in the genomes of 8 species analyzed being lowest in N. sylvestris, with 3300 copies per diploid genome. In N. tomentosiformis, TAS49 forms about 0.56% of the diploid genome, corresponding to 17400 copies. TAS49 units are about 460 bp long and show about 90% of mutual homology, but no significant homology to DNA sequences deposited in GenBank and EMBL. Although genomic clones of TAS49 contain an open reading frame encoding a proline-rich protein similar to plant extensins, no mRNA transcript was detected. TAS49 is extensively methylated at CpG and CpNpG sites and its chromatin forms nucleosomes phased with a 170 +/- 8 bp periodicity.

Variability in CpNpG methylation in higher plant genomes

The methylation status of ribosomal gene (rRNA) clusters have been investigated in a large variety of angiosperm species. Here we have analysed methylation in ribosomal gene (rRNA) clusters using MspI, HpaII, BstNI, EcoRII and CfoI restriction enzymes in combination with Southern hybridization to the 25S rDNA probe. It was shown that cytosine methylation at CpG dinucleotides and CpNpG trinucleotides occurred in all plant genomes examined. Methylation of rDNA units at CpG dinucleotides (studied with CfoI) was high in all species tested with approx. 40-70% of units being completely or nearly completely methylated. In contrast, the extent of the CpNpG methylation (studied with MspI and EcoRII) varied significantly between species; the percentage of the rDNA fraction entirely methylated at CpNpG trinucleotides ranged from less than 1% to almost 90% depending on the genome studied. Larger interspecies than within species variation was also observed among several non-transcribing repetitive sequences. In a small genome of A. thaliana, the CpNpG methylation appeared to be highly compartmentalized into the repetitive fraction. The methylation of trinucleotides was abundant in large A+T-rich genomes and it is proposed that the CpA(T)pG trinucleotides may help to maintain a high density of methylatable targets in plant repeated sequences.