Satellitome analysis on the pale-breasted thrush Turdus leucomelas (Passeriformes; Turdidae) uncovers the putative co-evolution of sex chromosomes and satellite DNAs

Author(s):Show less -

Souza, Guilherme Mota ; Kretschmer, Rafael ; Toma, Gustavo Akira ; de Oliveira, Alan Moura ; Deon, Geize Aparecida ; Setti, Princia Grejo ; dos Santos, Rodrigo Zeni ; Goes, Caio Augusto Gomes ; Garnero, Analia Del Valle ; Gunski, Ricardo Jose ; de Oliveira, Edivaldo Herculano Correa ; Porto-Foresti, Fabio ; Liehr, Thomas ; Utsunomia, Ricardo ; Cioffi, Marcelo de Bello

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 14, n. 1, p. 14-pg., 2024-09-04.

Abstract

Do all birds' sex chromosomes follow the same canonical one-way direction of evolution? We combined cytogenetic and genomic approaches to analyze the process of the W chromosomal differentiation in two selected Passeriform species, named the Pale-breasted Thrush Turdus leucomelas and the Rufous-bellied thrush T. rufiventris. We characterized the full catalog of satellite DNAs (satellitome) of T. leucomelas, and the 10 TleSatDNA classes obtained together with 16 microsatellite motifs were in situ mapped in both species. Additionally, using Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) assays, we investigated their intragenomic variations. The W chromosomes of both species did not accumulate higher amounts of both heterochromatin and repetitive sequences. However, while T. leucomelas showed a heterochromatin-poor W chromosome with a very complex evolutionary history, T. rufiventris showed a small and partially heterochromatic W chromosome that represents a differentiated version of its original autosomal complement (Z chromosome). The combined approach of CGH and sequential satDNA mapping suggest the occurrence of a former W-autosomal translocation event in T. leucomelas, which had an impact on the W chromosome in terms of sequence gains and losses. At the same time, an autosome, which is present in both males and females in a polymorphic state, lost sequences and integrated previously W-specific ones. This putative W-autosomal translocation, however, did not result in the emergence of a multiple-sex chromosome system. Instead, the generation of a neo-W chromosome suggests an unexpected evolutionary trajectory that deviates from the standard canonical model of sex chromosome evolution. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 23/00955-2 - Integrating cytogenetics and genomics in the study of sex chromosome differentiation pathways. Part I
• Grantee: Marcelo de Bello Cioffi
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 22/14584-3 - Satellite DNAs, and the karyotype and ZZ/ZW sex chromosome differentiation in birds. Part IV. The harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) as a model.
• Grantee: Guilherme Mota Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 22/00427-3 - Origin and differentiation of the multiple X1X2Y sex chromosome system: Satellitome analysis in fish, reptile, and mammal species.
• Grantee: Gustavo Akira Toma
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)