Project description:Chromosome rearrangements in small apes are up to 20 times more frequent than in most mammals. Because of their complexity, the full extent of chromosome evolution in these hominoids is not yet fully documented. However, previous work with array painting, BAC-FISH and selective sequencing in two of the four karyomorphs, has shown that high resolution methods can precisely define chromosome breakpoints and map the complex flow of evolutionary chromosome rearrangements. Here we use these tools to precisely define the rearrangements that have occurred in the remaining two karyomorphs, genera Symphalangus (2n=50), and Hoolock (2n=38). This research provides the most comprehensive insight into the evolutionary origins of chromosome rearrangements involved in transforming small apes genome. Bioinformatics analyses of the human-gibbon synteny breakpoints revealed association with transposable elements and segmental duplications providing some insight into the mechanisms that might have promoted rearrangements in small apes. In the near future, the comparison of gibbon genome sequences will provide novel insights to test hypotheses concerning the mechanisms of chromosome evolution. The precise definition of synteny block boundaries and orientation, chromosomal fusions, and centromere repositioning event presented here will facilitate genome sequence assembly for these close relatives of humans.
Project description:Ultra high resolution breakpoint mapping using custom oligonucleotide arrays and array painting The two derivative chromosomes from 4 patients with balanced translocations were flow sorted, differentially labelled and hybridised to custom oligonucleotide arrays designed to cover the potential breakpoint region at high resolution. Single hybridisations with no replicates.
Project description:Proteins contribute to the structure of chromatin and regulate its functions. The basic building block of chromatin in eukaryotes is the nucleosome containing histones. Structural maintenance of chromosomes complexes perform the assembly of genomic DNA into the higher organizational structures of interphase chromatin as well as the compact arrangement of dividing chromosomes. Here, proteins were extracted from flow cytometry-sorted barley mitotic chromosomes after a nuclease treatment to remove DNA. Peptides from tryptic protein digests were fractionated either on a cation exchanger or reversed-phase microgradient system prior to liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Nuclear and chromosomal proteins (almost 900 identifications) were then classified based on a combination of software prediction results, available database localization information, sequence homology, and domain representation. The degree of enrichment of the chromosome samples by chromosomal proteins was evaluated by comparing the results with controls (depleted flow cytometric fraction and initial cell lyzate). A biological context evaluation indicated the presence of several groups of abundant proteins including histone variants, topoisomerase 2, PARP2, Condensin complex subunits, and many proteins with chromatin-related functions. Interestingly, nucleolar proteins were found as wells as proteins documenting processes related to replication, transcription and DNA repair in barley mitotic chromosomes.