Rex retroelements are the best-known transposable elements class and are broadly distributed through fish and also individual genomes, playing an important role in their evolutionary dynamics. Several agents can stress these elements; among them, there are some parasitic compounds such as the organochlorophosphate Trichlorfon. Consequently, knowing that the organochlorophosphate Trichlorfon is indiscriminately used as an antiparasitic in aquaculture, the current study aimed to analyze the effects of this compound on the activation of the Transposable Elements (TEs) Rex1, Rex3, and Rex6 and the structure of heterochromatin in the mitotic chromosomes of the tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum). For this, two concentrations of the pesticide were used: 30% (0.261 mg/L) and 50% (0.435 mg/L) of the recommended LC50–96 h concentration (0.87 mg/L) for this fish species. The results revealed a dispersed distribution for Rex1 and Rex6 retroelements. Rex3 showed an increase in both marking intensity and distribution, as well as enhanced chromosomal heterochromatinization. This probably happened by the mediation of epigenetic adaptive mechanisms, causing the retroelement mobilization to be repressed. However, this behavior was most evident when Trichlorfon concentrations and exposure times were the greatest, reflecting the genetic flexibility necessary for this species to successfully adapt to environmental changes.

This study aimed to understand the impact of LINE-1 and SINE-B1 retroelements on the architecture and karyotypic diversification of five rodent species of the genus Proechimys from different regions of the Amazon. Karyotype comparisons were performed using fluorescent interspecific in situ hybridization. The L1 and B1 retroelements showed a non-random arrangement and a conserved pattern when the genomes of the five species of Proechimys were compared, including the two cytotypes of Proechimys guyannensis. The signal homeology among the chromosomes and the degree of similarity among the formed clusters indicate rearrangements such as fusion/fission, and demonstrates that these retroelements can behave as derived characters shared in Proechimys. The differentiated distribution and organization of these retroelements in the karyotypes and in the chromosomal fiber, respectively, may represent a strong indication of their role as generating sources of karyotypic diversity in the genus Proechimys and provide insights into the evolutionary relationships between taxa.

No abstract