Holokinetic Centromeres

Heckmann, Stefan; Houben, Andreas

doi:10.1002/9781118525715.ch7

Cited by 16 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 91 publications

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“…First, mutual exclusion of heterochromatin and centromere function may account for repetitive DNA accumulation in non‐centromeric chromosome ends, as speculated for the nucleolar organizing region (Heckmann et al ., ). Secondly, in holocentric species, terminal heterochromatin may be involved in the physical end‐to‐end association of homologous chromosomes (rod bivalents) during meiotic divisions (Nordenskiold, ; Dernburg, ; Bongiorni et al ., ; Guerra et al ., ; Heckmann and Houben, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most studied organisms feature one single size‐restricted centromere per chromosome (monocentric chromosomes), but in certain independent eukaryotic lineages, holocentric chromosomes occur (Melters et al ., ). These holocentric chromosomes lack a primary constriction, and, in contrast to monocentric chromosomes, they form holokinetic kinetochores (also called diffuse or non‐localized kinetochores) that are distributed along almost the entire poleward surface of the chromatids, to which the spindle fibers attach (Guerra et al ., ; Heckmann and Houben, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The holocentric species Luzula elegans shows interplay between centromere and large‐scale genome organization

et al. 2012

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SUMMARYIn higher plants, the large-scale structure of monocentric chromosomes consists of distinguishable eu-and heterochromatic regions, the proportions and organization of which depend on a species' genome size. To determine whether the same interplay is maintained for holocentric chromosomes, we investigated the distribution of repetitive sequences and epigenetic marks in the woodrush Luzula elegans (3.81 Gbp/1C). Sixtyone per cent of the L. elegans genome is characterized by highly repetitive DNA, with over 30 distinct sequence families encoding an exceptionally high diversity of satellite repeats. Over 33% of the genome is composed of the Angela clade of Ty1/copia LTR retrotransposons, which are uniformly dispersed along the chromosomes, while the satellite repeats occur as bands whose distribution appears to be biased towards the chromosome termini. No satellite showed an almost chromosome-wide distribution pattern as expected for a holocentric chromosome and no typical centromere-associated LTR retrotransposons were found either. No distinguishable large-scale patterns of eu-and heterochromatin-typical epigenetic marks or early/late DNA replicating domains were found along mitotic chromosomes, although super-high-resolution light microscopy revealed distinguishable interspersed units of various chromatin types. Our data suggest a correlation between the centromere and overall genome organization in species with holocentric chromosomes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The holocentric species Luzula elegans shows interplay between centromere and large‐scale genome organization

et al. 2012

Self Cite

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“…In holokinetics, however, if cross‐overs occurred randomly anywhere on the chromosome, there would be no refuge for hitchhikers. At present, cross‐overs seem to occur preferentially outside the central parts of holokinetic chromosomes (Nokkala et al ; Heckmann and Houben ), and thus the central parts of holokinetic chromosomes could serve as a potential haven for hitchhikers. In holokinetics, homozygotes could also suffer from the negative effects of fissions/fusions or TE amplification/removal, which might alter the regulation of gene expression (Oza et al ; Pi et al ; de Souza et al ).…”

Section: Concluding Remarks and Research Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Holokinetic Drive: Centromere Drive in Chromosomes Without Centromeres

Bureš

Zedek

2014

Evolution

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“…). Groups of organisms with holocentric chromosomes are scattered among the plant and animal kingdoms and are therefore thought to result from convergent evolution (Dernburg, ; Mandrioli & Manicardi, ; Melters et al , ; Heckmann & Houben, ). Despite their radically different structure and frequent occurrence in animals and plants, holocentric chromosomes have not been intensively studied, with the exception of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (Maupas) (for a review see Maddox et al , ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The cytogenetic architecture of the aphid genome

2014

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In recent years aphids, with their well-defined polyphenism, have become favoured as model organisms for the study of epigenetic processes. The availability of the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) genome sequence has engendered much research aimed at elucidating the mechanisms by which the phenotypic plasticity of aphids is inherited and controlled. Yet so far this research effort has paid little attention to the cytogenetic processes that play a vital part in the organisation, expression and inheritance of the aphid genome. Aphids have holocentric chromosomes, which have very different properties from the chromosomes with localised centromeres that are found in most other organisms. Here we review the diverse forms of aphid chromosome behaviour that occur during sex determination and male and female meiosis, often in response to environmental changes and mediated by endocrine factors. Remarkable differences occur, even between related species, that could have significant effects on the inheritance of all or parts of the genome. In relation to this, we review the particular features of the distribution of heterochromatin, rDNA genes and other repetitive DNA in aphid chromosomes, and discuss the part that these may play in the epigenetic modification of chromatin structure and function.

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Holokinetic Centromeres

Cited by 16 publications

References 91 publications

The holocentric species Luzula elegans shows interplay between centromere and large‐scale genome organization

The holocentric species Luzula elegans shows interplay between centromere and large‐scale genome organization

Holokinetic Drive: Centromere Drive in Chromosomes Without Centromeres

The cytogenetic architecture of the aphid genome

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