Studies of repetitive DNA in the genus Eigenmannia

Author(s)

Felippe Lourenço Claro

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB)
• Defense date: 2013-10-10

Examining board members

Lurdes Foresti de Almeida Toledo; Débora Diniz Bezerra; Daniela Cristina Ferreira; Cristiani Gifalli Iughetti; Maria José de Jesus Silva

• Advisor: Lurdes Foresti de Almeida Toledo

Abstract

The repetitive DNA constitutes a considerable fraction of the genome of many eukaryotic organisms. Compound by both functional sequences, such as ribosomal genes, and non-coding, such as transposable elements, mini / microsatellite DNA and the satellite, this portion of the genome has been widely used as a study object, since the repetitive sequences may be associated with, for example, the processes of sexual differentiation. These studies helped to understand the dynamics of these chromosomal regions, pointing the importance, conservation and evolution of the repetitive portion of the genome. The genus Eigenmannia (Gymnotiformes, Sternopygidae) comprises a morphological cryptic species that exhibit variation in chromosome number and may have sexual XY or ZW systems in which the elements of sexual pair differ by the presence of heterochromatic blocks larger than those found in chromosomes autosomes, or systems involving multiple Y-autosome translocation. The present work aims to study the gene Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) to verify the discriminatory capacity of this mitochondrial gene and suggest possible species of the so called karyomorphs of the genus Eigenmannia in the state of São Paulo. The study of repetitive DNA in Eigenmannia genus, includes 5S ribosomal gene and transposable elements, thus allowing a better understanding of the distribution, conservation in karyomorphs and verify their possible participation in the process of differentiation not only of sex chromosomes, karyotypic evolution but also in the group. The results obtained with the COI gene, as well as those obtained by the 5S ribosomal gene demonstrate genetic distances consistent with the hypothesis that the five karyomorphs can be regarded as separate species. In addition, in situ hybridization of ribosomal 5S gene provided new evidence for chromosomal fusion which led to the Y sex chromosome, as described in the literature, whereas hybridization of telomeric sequences did not provide evidence of recent fusion events involving the karyomorphs. Regarding transposable elements, it could be verified distinct sequence patterns between TC1 and Rex1 elements, since the TC1 element delimited two groups which may indicate a simultaneously invasion in those groups and retrotransposon Rex1 invasion has occurred in a common ancestor to all karyomorphs (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/00561-7 - STUDY OF REPETITIVE DNA IN THE GENUS EIGENMANNIA (TELEOSTEI: GYMNOTIFORMES)
• Grantee: Felippe Lourenço Claro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate