Testing and improving concepts on the organization and evolution of satellite DNAs using whole sequenced genomes of Drosophila

• Grant number: 09/08738-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2009
• End date: April 30, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Orlando Moreira Filho
• Grantee: Gustavo Campos e Silva Kuhn
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Satellite DNA (satDNA), belong to the highly repetitive fraction of the genome and consists of DNA motifs typically 100 to 800 bp long repeated hundreds to millions of times in very homogeneous tandem arrays. A significant fraction (10-50%) of the DNA in many organisms is composed of satDNAs. Even between closely related species, satDNA may diverge drastically concerning the nucleotide sequences, number of copies and chromosome distribution, making one of the most rapidly genome evolving components. Remarkably, most of the hypotheses and models regarding the evolution of satDNA date back to the 80s and early 90s, where relatively few sequences were available. The aim of this project is to explore the biology of satellite DNA in the recently sequenced 12 Drosophila genomes. The satellite DNA 1.688 of Drosophila, described in the 70s and present in all 8 species from the melanogaster subgroup, will be re-analysed using this vast reservoir of genomic sequences. The present project will be innovative in studying the evolution of satDNAs in the context of comparative genomics in the genus Drosophila. With the obtained data, modern and integrative models of satDNA organization and evolution will be built up that in turn will contribute for a better understanding of topics concerning the evolution of genomes in eukaryotes.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

KUHN, GUSTAVO C. S.; SCHWARZACHER, TRUDE; HESLOP-HARRISON, JOHN S.. The non-regular orbit: three satellite DNAs in Drosophila martensis (buzzatii complex, repleta group) followed three different evolutionary pathways. Molecular Genetics and Genomics, v. 284, n. 4, p. 251-262, OCT 2010. (09/08738-3)

KUHN, G. C. S.; HESLOP-HARRISON, J. S.. Characterization and Genomic Organization of PERI, a Repetitive DNA in the Drosophila buzzatii Cluster Related to DINE-1 Transposable Elements and Highly Abundant in the Sex Chromosomes. Cytogenetic and Genome Research, v. 132, n. 1-2, p. 79-88, 2010. (09/08738-3)

KUHN, GUSTAVO C. S.; KUETTLER, HEINRICH; MOREIRA-FILHO, ORLANDO; HESLOP-HARRISON, JOHN S.. The 1.688 Repetitive DNA of Drosophila: Concerted Evolution at Different Genomic Scales and Association with Genes. Molecular Biology and Evolution, v. 29, n. 1, p. 7-11, JAN 2012. (09/08738-3)