Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pavel Neumann, Ludmila Oliveira, Tae-Soo Jang, Petr Novak, Andrea Koblizkova, Veit Schubert, Andreas Houben, Jiri Macas
Summary: The transition from monocentric to holocentric organization in Cuscuta was associated with loss or truncation of kinetochore-related genes, disruption of centromeric localization of kinetochore proteins, and degeneration of the spindle assembly checkpoint. This indicates that holocentric Cuscuta species lack a standard kinetochore and do not employ the SAC to control microtubule attachment to chromosomes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Pavel Neumann, Ludmila Oliveira, Jana Cizkova, Tae-Soo Jang, Sonja Klemme, Petr Novak, Katarzyna Stelmach, Andrea Koblizkova, Jaroslav Dolezel, Jiri Macas
Summary: The parasitic genus Cuscuta stands out for its unique centromere organization and genome size variations among plants. Monocentric Cuscuta species show a remarkable 102-fold variation in genome sizes, while holocentric species have more moderate sizes. The transition to holocentric chromosomes in Cuscuta is associated with changes in epigenetic marks, chromosome number, and repetitive DNA sequence composition.
Article
Plant Sciences
Marie Kratka, Jakub Smerda, Katerina Lojdova, Petr Bures, Frantisek Zedek
Summary: The centromere drive model explains an evolutionary process caused by centromeric repeats expansion, resulting in preferential segregation of an expanded centromere. The histone protein CenH3 plays a key role in adaptive evolution to counter the detrimental effects of centromere drive. Holocentric chromosomes may prevent centromere drive through their unique kinetochore structure.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tihana Vondrak, Ludmila Oliveira, Petr Novak, Andrea Koblizkova, Pavel Neumann, Jiri Macas
Summary: Long-range sequence analysis revealed the complex structure of heterochromatin regions containing major satellite repeats, with frequent interruptions by simple sequence repeats and targeted insertions of LINE retrotransposons. These data demonstrate that the organization of satellite repeats in heterochromatic chromosome bands can be more complex than previously thought, and show that heterochromatin organization can be efficiently investigated without genome assembly.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sheng Zuo, Ramakrishna Yadala, Fen Yang, Paul Talbert, Joerg Fuchs, Veit Schubert, Ulkar Ahmadli, Twan Rutten, Ales Pecinka, Martin A. Lysak, Inna Lermontova
Summary: The evolutionary history of the KNL2 gene in plants has been reconstructed, revealing three ancient duplications and differentiation among different plant groups. The study also suggests that the KNL2 gene is involved in centromere and/or kinetochore assembly for preserving genome stability.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Julio C. Flores C. Servin, Rachel R. Brown, Aaron F. Straight
Summary: Flores Servin, Brown, and Straight discovered that vertebrate CENP-A assembly is restricted to G1 phase due to the inhibitory activities of HJURP phosphorylation and M18BP1.S competitive binding to CENP-C. These inhibitory activities prevent the metaphase centromere localization of HJURP and thus hinder CENP-A assembly. Removal of these inhibitory activities allows CENP-A assembly in metaphase.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Artem Lisachov, Alexander Rumyantsev, Dmitry Prokopov, Malcolm Ferguson-Smith, Vladimir Trifonov
Summary: In this study, we describe the satellite DNA families found in two snake species from different families. Contrary to common belief, we found high conservation of these satellites in terms of nucleotide sequences and chromosomal localizations. Satellite DNA sequences make up a large portion of animal genomes, and they are typically located in heterochromatin clusters near centromeres or telomeres. The function of these clusters is to maintain chromosome and nuclear structure, and regulate chromosome behavior during cell division. Understanding satellite DNA diversity is important for studying sex chromosome evolution, hybridization, and speciation. Through our research, we identified four satellite DNA families in two snake species and determined their chromosomal localization. We found that one family is localized in the centromeres of both species, while the others form clusters on specific chromosomes or subsets of chromosomes. Our results demonstrate the high conservation of satellite DNA in snakes and support the library model of satellite DNA evolution.
Review
Cell Biology
Monika Cechova, Karen H. Miga
Summary: This review focuses on the biology of satellite DNA on human X and Y chromosomes and its impact on sex chromosome aneuploidies. The findings provide insights into the prevalence and consequences of these aneuploidies.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yi-Tzu Kuo, Takayoshi Ishii, Joerg Fuchs, Wei-Hsun Hsieh, Andreas Houben, Yann-Rong Lin
Summary: Polyploidization leads to structural changes in genomes, especially allopolyploidization combining genomes of different species. The study compared repeat profiles of diploid and tetraploid Sorghum species, revealing similar repeat frequencies but drastic genome rearrangements in tetraploid species. Both diploid S. bicolor and tetraploid S. halepense exhibit similar centromere compositions, suggesting a potential contribution of S. bicolor in the formation of tetraploid S. halepense.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Andre Marques, Barbara Hufnagel, Alexandre Soriano, Benjamin Peret
Summary: Plant genomes are predominantly comprised of repetitive DNA sequences, which play crucial roles in chromosome structure and stability during the cell cycle. This study focused on the white lupin genome and identified a highly diverse and abundant class of satellite DNAs, some of which were closely associated with specific chromatin protein CENH3. A repeat-based chromosome map was constructed using a strategy of re-hybridization with different probes, revealing the localization of various retrotransposons in pericentromeric and centromeric regions. Incongruences between the FISH mapping of repeat DNA and the reference genome were observed, suggesting the potential for improving the current genome version. These findings highlight the rapid evolution of repeat sequences in plant genomes.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Camila do Nascimento Moreira, Adauto Lima Cardoso, Mirela Pelizaro Valeri, Karen Ventura, Malcolm Andrew Ferguson-Smith, Yatiyo Yonenaga-Yassuda, Marta Svartman, Cesar Martins
Summary: Repetitive DNA, including SatDNA and transposable elements, is a common and significant component of eukaryotic genomes. This study focuses on Holochilus nanus and other species of Oryzomyini to examine the composition and role of repetitive DNA in chromosomal diversification. Through bioinformatic, cytogenetic, and molecular techniques, the study reveals the presence of Long Terminal Repeats, Short Interspersed Nuclear Elements, and Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements in the genome of HNA.
MOLECULAR GENETICS AND GENOMICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ulkar Ahmadli, Manikandan Kalidass, Lucie Crhak Khaitova, Joerg Fuchs, Maria Cuacos, Dmitri Demidov, Sheng Zuo, Jana Pecinkova, Martin Mascher, Mathieu Ingouff, Stefan Heckmann, Andreas Houben, Karel Riha, Inna Lermontova
Summary: Double haploid production is a highly effective method to establish true-breeding lines in a single generation. This study focuses on haploid induction in Arabidopsis and identifies a mutant of the cenH3 assembly factor KNL2 as a potential haploid inducer. The efficiency of haploid induction was increased by 10-fold when the mutant was exposed to short-term temperature stress. Furthermore, a point mutation in the KNL2 gene was found to be sufficient to generate haploid-inducing lines. This research provides insights into the factors affecting haploid induction and offers new possibilities for the development of haploid-inducing lines in crops.
PLANT COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yi-Tzu Kuo, Amanda Souza Camara, Veit Schubert, Pavel Neumann, Jiri Macas, Michael Melzer, Jianyong Chen, Jorg Fuchs, Simone Abel, Evelyn Klocke, Bruno Huettel, Axel Himmelbach, Dmitri Demidov, Frank Dunemann, Martin Mascher, Takayoshi Ishii, Andre Marques, Andreas Houben
Summary: This study reveals the holocentric characteristics of the lilioid plant Chionographis japonica, showing that its centromeres consist of evenly spaced units and differ from other known holocentric species. The study also finds that C. japonica forms clustered centromeres similar to monocentric species, but the large-scale chromatin arrangement is different. The formation of holocentromeres from interphase centromere clusters was simulated using polymer simulations.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Diogo C. Cabral-de-Mello, Magda Zrzava, Svatava Kubickova, Pedro Rendon, Frantisek Marec
Summary: This study introduces seven new satellite DNAs in Lepidoptera and describes their characteristics, showing high variability within and between species, with some degree of conservation. Three of the satellite DNAs are abundant on the W chromosomes of Ostrinia nubilalis and Cydalima perspectalis, contributing to their differentiation from the Z chromosomes.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Liqiao Hu, Congcong Zhao, Mingjie Liu, Shuaiyu Liu, Jingjing Ye, Kehui Wang, Jinyun Shi, Wei Tian, Xiaojing He
Summary: CENP-I directly interacts with centromeric DNA and stabilizes the deposition of CENP-A. The DNA binding of CENP-I is crucial for the loading of CENP-A and the localization of centromeres.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ivona Kubalova, Klaus Weisshart, Andreas Houben, Veit Schubert
Summary: Topo II alpha and CENH3 are important proteins involved in chromatin condensation and centromere determination. By using structured illumination microscopy (SIM) and photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM), we were able to localize and count the number of Topo II alpha and CENH3 molecules in barley metaphase chromosomes. Our findings provide valuable insights into the distribution and quantity of these proteins, which are essential for understanding their roles in chromatin condensation and centromere determination.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jiri Macas, Laura Avila Robledillo, Jonathan Kreplak, Petr Novak, Andrea Koblizkova, Iva Vrbova, Judith Burstin, Pavel Neumann
Summary: In this study, the assembly and analysis of the pea metapolycentromere, a unique type of centromere that represents an intermediate stage between monocentric and holocentric organizations, is reported. The results reveal the sequence organization and potential mechanisms for the formation of the metapolycentromere. It is found that the metapolycentromere is formed through the expansion of centromeric chromatin and the accumulation of novel satellite repeats. Furthermore, genetic experiments demonstrate that centromere evolution involving chromosomal translocations and centromere repositioning also contribute to the formation of metapolycentromeres.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Murukarthick Jayakodi, Agnieszka A. Golicz, Jonathan Kreplak, Lavinia Fechete, Deepti Angra, Petr Bednar, Elesandro Bornhofen, Hailin Zhang, Raphael Boussageon, Sukhjiwan Kaur, Kwok Cheung, Jana Cizkova, Heidrun Gundlach, Asis Hallab, Baptiste Imbert, Gabriel Keeble-Gagnere, Andrea Koblizkova, Lucie Kobrlova, Petra Krejci, Troels W. Mouritzen, Pavel Neumann, Marcin Nadzieja, Linda Kaergaard Nielsen, Petr Novak, Jihad Orabi, Sudharsan Padmarasu, Tom Robertson-Shersby-Harvie, Laura Avila Robledillo, Andrea Schiemann, Jaakko Tanskanen, Petri Toronen, Ahmed O. Warsame, Alexander H. J. Wittenberg, Axel Himmelbach, Gregoire Aubert, Pierre-Emmanuel Courty, Jaroslav Dolezel, Liisa U. Holm, Luc L. Janss, Hamid Khazaei, Jiri Macas, Martin Mascher, Petr Smykal, Rod J. Snowdon, Nils Stein, Frederick L. Stoddard, Jens Stougaard, Nadim Tayeh, Ana M. Torres, Bjorn Usadel, Ingo Schubert, Donal Martin O'Sullivan, Alan H. Schulman, Stig Uggerhoj Andersen
Summary: Increasing the proportion of locally produced plant protein in diets could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and loss of biodiversity. However, plant protein production is hindered by the lack of a cool-season legume equivalent to soybean. This study presents a high-quality genome assembly of faba bean and demonstrates its potential for sustainable protein production.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ivona Kubalova, Amanda Souza Camara, Petr Capal, Tomas Beseda, Jean-Marie Rouillard, Gina Marie Krause, Katerina Holusova, Helena Toegelova, Axel Himmelbach, Nils Stein, Andreas Houben, Jaroslav Dolezel, Martin Mascher, Hana Simkova, Veit Schubert
Summary: Hi-C analysis, biopolymer modeling, and structured illumination microscopy were used to reveal the chromonema, a helically-wound chromatin thread forming barley mitotic chromatids. The helical turn size varies along the chromosome length and intermingles chromatin from adjacent turns. The observable dimensions of sister chromatid exchanges further support the helical chromonema model.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pavel Neumann, Ludmila Oliveira, Tae-Soo Jang, Petr Novak, Andrea Koblizkova, Veit Schubert, Andreas Houben, Jiri Macas
Summary: The transition from monocentric to holocentric organization in Cuscuta was associated with loss or truncation of kinetochore-related genes, disruption of centromeric localization of kinetochore proteins, and degeneration of the spindle assembly checkpoint. This indicates that holocentric Cuscuta species lack a standard kinetochore and do not employ the SAC to control microtubule attachment to chromosomes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yi-Tzu Kuo, Amanda Souza Camara, Veit Schubert, Pavel Neumann, Jiri Macas, Michael Melzer, Jianyong Chen, Jorg Fuchs, Simone Abel, Evelyn Klocke, Bruno Huettel, Axel Himmelbach, Dmitri Demidov, Frank Dunemann, Martin Mascher, Takayoshi Ishii, Andre Marques, Andreas Houben
Summary: This study reveals the holocentric characteristics of the lilioid plant Chionographis japonica, showing that its centromeres consist of evenly spaced units and differ from other known holocentric species. The study also finds that C. japonica forms clustered centromeres similar to monocentric species, but the large-scale chromatin arrangement is different. The formation of holocentromeres from interphase centromere clusters was simulated using polymer simulations.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anne Edwards, Isaac Njaci, Abhimanyu Sarkar, Zhouqian Jiang, Gemy George Kaithakottil, Christopher Moore, Jitender Cheema, Clare E. M. Stevenson, Martin Rejzek, Petr Novak, Marielle Vigouroux, Martin Vickers, Roland H. M. Wouters, Pirita Paajanen, Burkhard Steuernagel, Jonathan D. Moore, Janet Higgins, David Swarbreck, Stefan Martens, Colin Y. Kim, Jing-Ke Weng, Sagadevan Mundree, Benjamin Kilian, Shiv Kumar, Matt Loose, Levi Yant, Jiri Macas, Trevor L. Wang, Cathie Martin, Peter M. F. Emmrich
Summary: Grass pea is a protein-rich crop cultivated in several countries as an insurance crop for food security in a changing climate. However, its cultivation has been limited due to a lack of genetic resources and its association with a disease called neurolathyrism. In this study, researchers have sequenced the genome of grass pea and identified the biosynthetic pathway for the neurotoxin beta-L-oxalyl-2,3-diaminopropionic acid (beta-L-ODAP), which causes the disease. This finding provides valuable insights for developing varieties with reduced toxin production.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hyeonjin Kim, Bokyung Choi, Changyoung Lee, Jin-Hyub Paik, Chang-Gee Jang, Hanna Weiss-Schneeweiss, Tae-Soo Jang
Summary: The study found that differentiation in genome size and chromosome number is not necessarily correlated with morphological differentiation of cytotypes.
Article
Cell Biology
Veit Schubert, Andrea Weissleder, Inna Lermontova
Summary: Fluorescence live-cell microscopy is crucial for artifact-free investigations in cell biology. To analyze chromatin and centromeres dynamics at different cell cycle stages, simultaneous EYFP-CENH3/H2B-DsRed and single H2B-YFP transformations were performed in Arabidopsis wild-type and cohesin T-DNA mutants. The use of endogenous promoters and terminators are important for efficient co-expression of two fluorescence proteins.
CYTOGENETIC AND GENOME RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hye-Joo Byun, Tae -Soo Jang
Summary: A comprehensive micromorphological study of the Korean woodrush was conducted, analyzing leaf and pistil characteristics. The study revealed important diagnostic criteria for distinguishing between different species within the Korean Luzula genus, providing valuable information for taxonomic classification.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Bokyung Choi, Yeojin Hwang, Scott A. M. Mcadam, Tae-Soo Jang
Summary: A comparative study of leaf micromorphological characteristics in Korean Ajuga species was conducted using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The research found considerable diversity in epidermal and stomatal anatomy across the species, with different types of stomatal complexes and various glandular trichomes. The study highlights the taxonomic usefulness of trichome type, epidermal cell shape, and stomatal morphology for species identification.
MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rahman Ebrahimzadegan, Jorg Fuchs, Jianyong Chen, Veit Schubert, Armin Meister, Andreas Houben, Ghader Mirzaghaderi
Summary: The behavior of B chromosomes in Festuca pratensis was studied during meiotic and mitotic stages. The B chromosome exhibited Mendelian segregation behavior during meiosis, but non-Mendelian segregation behavior during the first pollen mitosis, resulting in a drive phenomenon. At least 82% of the B chromosomes showed drive during the first pollen mitosis.
CHROMOSOME RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Chao Feng, Elisabeth Roitinger, Otto Hudecz, Maria Cuacos, Jana Lorenz, Veit Schubert, Baicui Wang, Rui Wang, Karl Mechtler, Stefan Heckmann
Summary: During meiotic prophase I, the meiotic chromosome axis is essential for synapsis and meiotic recombination progression. TurboID-based proximity labelling enables the identification of proximate proteins in meiotic cells of A. thaliana. This proteomic profiling helps uncover known and new meiotic proteins in rare cell types like meiotic cells.