Project description:Programmed DNA elimination is a developmentally regulated process leading to the reproducible loss of specific genomic sequences. DNA elimination occurs in unicellular ciliates and a variety of metazoans, including invertebrates and vertebrates. In metazoa, DNA elimination typically occurs in somatic cells during early development, leaving the germline genome intact. Reference genomes for metazoa that undergo DNA elimination are not available. Here, we generated germline and somatic reference genome sequences of the DNA eliminating pig parasitic nematode Ascaris suum and the horse parasite Parascaris univalens. In addition, we carried out in-depth analyses of DNA elimination in the parasitic nematode of humans, Ascaris lumbricoides, and the parasitic nematode of dogs, Toxocara canis. Our analysis of nematode DNA elimination reveals that in all species, repetitive sequences (that differ among the genera) and germline-expressed genes (approximately 1000-2000 or 5%-10% of the genes) are eliminated. Thirty-five percent of these eliminated genes are conserved among these nematodes, defining a core set of eliminated genes that are preferentially expressed during spermatogenesis. Our analysis supports the view that DNA elimination in nematodes silences germline-expressed genes. Over half of the chromosome break sites are conserved between Ascaris and Parascaris, whereas only 10% are conserved in the more divergent T. canis. Analysis of the chromosomal breakage regions suggests a sequence-independent mechanism for DNA breakage followed by telomere healing, with the formation of more accessible chromatin in the break regions prior to DNA elimination. Our genome assemblies and annotations also provide comprehensive resources for analysis of DNA elimination, parasitology research, and comparative nematode genome and epigenome studies.
Project description:A growing list of metazoans undergo programmed DNA elimination (PDE), where a significant amount of DNA is selectively lost from the genome during development. In some nematodes, PDE leads to the removal of the ends of all germline chromosomes. In several species, PDE also eliminates sequences in the interior of the chromosomes, leading to an increased number of somatic chromosomes. The biological significance of these karyotype changes associated with PDE and the origin and evolution of nematode PDE remain largely unknown. Here, we assembled the single pair of germline chromosomes of the horse parasite Parascaris univalens and compared the karyotypes, gene organization within the chromosomes, and PDE features among ascarids. We show that Parascaris converts an XX/XY sex-determination system in the germline into an XX/XO system in the somatic cells. Comparisons of Ascaris, Parascaris, and Baylisascaris chromosomes suggest that PDE existed in the ancestor of these parasites, and their current distinct germline karyotypes were derived from fusion events of the same ancestral smaller chromosomes. PDE resolves these fused germline chromosomes and restores their pre-fusion karyotypes, leading to alterations in genome architecture and gene expression in the somatic cells. Cytological and genomic analyses further reveal the dynamic organization of the Parascaris germline chromosome during meiosis and a potential function for the satellite DNA and the heterochromatin arms. Overall, our results show that chromosome fusion and PDE have been harnessed in these ascarids to shape their karyotypes that could modulate the organization and functions of the genomes.
Project description:A growing list of metazoans undergo programmed DNA elimination (PDE), where a significant amount of DNA is selectively lost from the genome during development. In some nematodes, PDE leads to the removal of the ends of all germline chromosomes. In several species, PDE also eliminates sequences in the interior of the chromosomes, leading to an increased number of somatic chromosomes. The biological significance of these karyotype changes associated with PDE and the origin and evolution of nematode PDE remain largely unknown. Here, we assembled the single pair of germline chromosomes of the horse parasite Parascaris univalens and compared the karyotypes, gene organization within the chromosomes, and PDE features among ascarids. We show that Parascaris converts an XX/XY sex-determination system in the germline into an XX/XO system in the somatic cells. Comparisons of Ascaris, Parascaris, and Baylisascaris chromosomes suggest that PDE existed in the ancestor of these parasites, and their current distinct germline karyotypes were derived from fusion events of the same ancestral smaller chromosomes. PDE resolves these fused germline chromosomes and restores their pre-fusion karyotypes, leading to alterations in genome architecture and gene expression in the somatic cells. Cytological and genomic analyses further reveal the dynamic organization of the Parascaris germline chromosome during meiosis and a potential function for the satellite DNA and the heterochromatin arms. Overall, our results show that chromosome fusion and PDE have been harnessed in these ascarids to shape their karyotypes that could modulate the organization and functions of the genomes.
Project description:A growing list of metazoans undergo programmed DNA elimination (PDE), where a significant amount of DNA is selectively lost from the genome during development. In some nematodes, PDE leads to the removal of the ends of all germline chromosomes. In several species, PDE also eliminates sequences in the interior of the chromosomes, leading to an increased number of somatic chromosomes. The biological significance of these karyotype changes associated with PDE and the origin and evolution of nematode PDE remain largely unknown. Here, we assembled the single pair of germline chromosomes of the horse parasite Parascaris univalens and compared the karyotypes, gene organization within the chromosomes, and PDE features among ascarids. We show that Parascaris converts an XX/XY sex-determination system in the germline into an XX/XO system in the somatic cells. Comparisons of Ascaris, Parascaris, and Baylisascaris chromosomes suggest that PDE existed in the ancestor of these parasites, and their current distinct germline karyotypes were derived from fusion events of the same ancestral smaller chromosomes. PDE resolves these fused germline chromosomes and restores their pre-fusion karyotypes, leading to alterations in genome architecture and gene expression in the somatic cells. Cytological and genomic analyses further reveal the dynamic organization of the Parascaris germline chromosome during meiosis and a potential function for the satellite DNA and the heterochromatin arms. Overall, our results show that chromosome fusion and PDE have been harnessed in these ascarids to shape their karyotypes that could modulate the organization and functions of the genomes.