Molecular cytogenetic characterization of some representatives of the subgenera <i>Artemisia</i> and <i>Absinthium</i> (genus <i>Artemisia</i>, Asteraceae)

Abstract

A molecular cytogenetic study has been performed in three species of the genus Artemisia, complementing previous works on two subgenera that had been scarcely studied from this standpoint, Artemisia (A. chamaemelifolia, A. vulgaris) and Absinthium (A. absinthium). Chromomycin A 3 and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) banding have been carried out, as well as fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) of 5S and 18S-5.8S-26S ribosomal DNA. Morphometrical data of karyotype characters were calculated and idiograms with the position of the AT-and GC-rich regions as well as rDNA loci were constructed. Colocalization of most of these regions has been observed, confirming previous findings in this genus. Both ribosomal DNA appear always colocalized, which is a distinct feature with respect to most angiosperms surveyed. Regarding the differential characteristics of each species, a symmetrical karyotype has been found in the species studied. Artemisia absinthium shows long chromosomes and absence of centromeric banding signals that, conversely, are absent in A. vulgaris and A. chamaemelifolia. The last species also presents Bchromosomes in which ribosomal DNA and heterochromatin have been detected. Despite these differences, karyotype morphology and signal pattern of the three species are quite coincidental. This might reflect a close phylogenetic relationship between both subgenera, which is consistent with the available molecular phylogenies presenting species of the subgenera Artemisia and Absinthium intermixed.

Linkage of 35S and 5S rRNA genes in Artemisia (family Asteraceae): first evidence from angiosperms

“…The number of co-localised sites varied between four and six in A. absinthium and A. tridentata, respectively. This is consistent with previous molecular cytogenetic research to species in subgenera Tridentatae and Absinthium from Artemisia (Torrell et al 2003;Garcia et al 2007;Pellicer et al 2008). Southern hybridisation suggested that there may be some regions of the locus that are enriched in 5S rDNA sub-units (e.g.…”

Inhibitory effects of medical plants on the Candida albicans and bacterial growth in the oral cavity

“…Molecular phylogenetic studies, based on the analysis of chloroplast (cpDNA) and nuclear ribosomal (nrDNA) sequences have helped elucidating the systematic relationships within Artemisia, although important questions remain unresolved. Despite some differences, there is a close phylogenetic relationship between Artemisia and Absinthium, which is consistent with the available molecular phylogenies presenting species of the subgenera Artemisia and Absinthium intermixed (Pellicer et al, 2008).…”

Physical Mapping of 5S rDNA, 18S rDNA and Telomere Sequences in Three Species of the Genus Artemisia (Asteraceae) with Distinct Basic Chromosome Numbers

“…Physical mapping of both 5S and 45S rDNAs has been carried out in some species of the genus Artemisia of the family Asteraceae, and interestingly shown that the 5S rRNA gene loci are co-localized with the 45S rRNA gene loci at the end of short arms of several chromosomes (Torrell et al 2003, Hoshi et al 2006, Garcia et al 2007, Pellicer et al 2008. In contrast, no data on the FISH with the Arabidopsis-type (T 3 AG 3 ) telomere sequences is available in the genus Artemisia.…”