Article
Genetics & Heredity
Atsuo Yoshido, Frantisek Marec
Summary: This study found that sexual development in the silkmoth, Samia cynthia ricini, depends on the Z:A ratio rather than just the number of Z chromosomes. Triploid individuals with three Z chromosomes showed a normal male phenotype, while triploids with two Z chromosomes exhibited an intersex phenotype. Additionally, changes in Z chromosome number did not affect the general mode of gene expression in Lepidoptera.
Article
Entomology
Decai Lu, Yixin Huang, Stefan Naumann, Ian J. Kitching, Zhenbang Xu, Yang Sun, Xu Wang
Summary: This study sequenced and analyzed the mitogenomes of two species in the wild silkmoth genus Samia, providing insights into their interspecific relationships and phylogenetic position within the 'SBS' group of silk moths. The results support the close relationship between S. ricini and S. canning, and suggest that S. ricini should be treated as a separate species from S. cynthia. Furthermore, the study confirms that S. watsoni is the sister group of all other Samia species and recommends its inclusion within the genus. The phylogenetic analysis also agrees with previous studies on the relationship among the three families of the 'SBS' group.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microscopy
Agnieszka Bugaj-Nawrocka, Lukasz Chajec, Anna Z. Urbisz, Dominik Chlond
Summary: Hybrid infertility is a result of various mechanisms, including prezygotic and postzygotic reproductive isolation as well as genetic issues. Research suggests that infertility in hybrids can be caused by abnormalities in sperm formation and eggshell structure.
Article
Plant Sciences
Zicheng Shao, Lei Huang, Yuchi Zhang, Sheng Qiang, Xiaoling Song
Summary: The commercialization of transgenic herbicide-resistant (HR) crops may lead to gene flow risk. This study investigates gene silencing in progenies of transgenic crops and wild relatives, finding that silencing can decrease gene flow risk by killing the progenies with target herbicide. The study also reveals DNA methylation as an important factor leading to gene silencing and suggests insertion site of transgene as a strategy to reduce ecological risk of transgenic crops.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Caroline M. S. Cauret, Sebastian M. E. Mortimer, Marcelina C. Roberti, Tia-Lynn Ashman, Aaron Liston
Summary: When sex chromosomes stop recombining, they accumulate differences, especially the Y or W chromosome which degenerates through the loss of nucleotide sequence and the accumulation of repetitive sequences. Researchers have found that the sex-determining region of octoploid strawberries is young, small, and dynamic. By using PacBio HiFi reads, a chromosome-scale assembly of a female Fragaria chiloensis plant was obtained, which carried the youngest and largest known sex-determining region on the W chromosome. The study fully characterized the previously incomplete sex-determining region and identified early signs of W chromosome degeneration through limited genetic differentiation and structural variation.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jennifer Terry, Emily Field, Lorin A. Neuman-Lee
Summary: When resources are limited, organisms need to allocate energy differently among physiological processes to survive, reproduce, and respond to unpredictable events. This study examined the relationships between immunity, reproduction, and stress response in wild red-eared slider turtles. Tradeoffs between female reproduction and immunocompetence were observed during the nesting season, while males showed upregulation of immune function and hormone levels during spermatogenesis and mating.
GENERAL AND COMPARATIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
McCaide T. Wooten, Zachary S. Lowman, Christopher M. Ashwell
Summary: Previous studies have shown a link between maternal condition or resource availability and offspring sex ratio in avian species. This study found that the sex ratio of avian offspring was not influenced by parental diet, but a sudden change in diet may have an effect. Further research is needed to assess the efficacy of diet alteration in sex allocation manipulation.
POULTRY SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Martina Orosova, Anna Markova, Irena Provaznikova, Mikulas Oros, Alzbeta Radacovska, Zuzana Cadkova, Frantisek Marec
Summary: In this study, an in-depth karyological analysis of two Dibothriocephalus latus specimens revealed a karyotype consisting of 9 triplets of metacentric chromosomes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization confirmed the triploid status of the specimens and supported the earlier observation of a conserved telomeric motif in tapeworm telomeres.
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
Irena Provaznikova, Martina Hejnickova, Sander Visser, Martina Dalikova, Leonela Z. Carabajal Paladino, Magda Zrzava, Anna Volenikova, Frantisek Marec, Petr Nguyen
Summary: Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to evaluate karyotype evolution in moths and butterflies, revealing the erratic evolution of major rDNA genes and the stable organization of histone H3 genes. Detection of 5S rDNA and U1 and U2 snRNA genes was challenging, likely due to long spacers between genes or their scattered distribution.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Sander Visser, Anna Volenikova, Petr Nguyen, Eveline C. Verhulst, Frantisek Marec
Summary: The sex-determining cascade in the silkworm differs greatly from that of the Mediterranean flour moth, but studies on the latter species show that the Masc gene plays a crucial role in controlling male development, highlighting the importance of Masc in sex determination.
Article
Cell Biology
Martina Hejnickova, Martina Dalikova, Pavel Potocky, Toomas Tammaru, Marharyta Trehubenko, Svatava Kubickova, Frantisek Marec, Magda Zrzava
Summary: The study investigated the presence of sex chromatin in 50 species of Geometridae, revealing a high diversity of W chromosomes and clarifying the reasons for atypical sex chromatin patterns. It also detected intraspecific variability in the sex chromatin status and sex chromosome constitution in two species, emphasizing that sex chromatin is not a sufficient marker of the W chromosome presence but can be used to identify species with atypical sex chromosomes.
Article
Parasitology
Martina Orosova, Anna Markova, Frantisek Marec, Daniel Barcak, Timea Brazova, Mikulas Oros
Summary: In this study, we conducted detailed cytogenetic analyses of two caryophyllidean species and found that they have the same chromosome number. Additionally, we identified specific chromosome bands in the caryophyllidean species and confirmed the presence of a major rDNA cluster using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Comparisons between populations from different water bodies also revealed a slightly increased incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in polluted environments.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana E. Gasparotto, Diogo Milani, Emiliano Marti, Ana Beatriz S. M. Ferretti, Vanessa B. Bardella, Frederico Hickmann, Magda Zrzava, Frantisek Marec, Diogo C. Cabral-de-Mello
Summary: The study characterized the chromosomes and repetitive DNA of the sugarcane borer, revealing chromosomal dynamics and repetitive DNA changes caused by the degeneration of the W chromosome and multiple chromosome fusions, contributing significantly to understanding genome structure in Lepidoptera.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Martina Hejnickova, Martina Dalikova, Magda Zrzava, Frantisek Marec, Pedro Lorite, Eugenia E. Montiel
Summary: Comparative genomic hybridization and FISH revealed significant variation in the composition of the W chromosome in Peribatodes rhomboidaria, with an abundance of mobile elements. Bioinformatic analysis and FISH mapping confirmed the enrichment of ten putative W chromosome-enriched repeats, mainly LTR and LINE mobile elements. This study provides evidence that mobile elements are driving the differentiation of the W chromosome in Lepidoptera.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Liliana M. Mola, Iva Vrbova, Daniela S. Tosto, Magda Zrzava, Frantisek Marec
Summary: This study reveals the evolution of sex chromosome systems in dragonflies through the analysis of two species. It is found that the sex chromosome systems are formed through chromosome rearrangements. Sex in dragonflies is determined by X chromosomes, and the variations in sex chromosome systems are the result of different chromosome rearrangements.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Atsuo Yoshido, Frantisek Marec
Summary: This study found that sexual development in the silkmoth, Samia cynthia ricini, depends on the Z:A ratio rather than just the number of Z chromosomes. Triploid individuals with three Z chromosomes showed a normal male phenotype, while triploids with two Z chromosomes exhibited an intersex phenotype. Additionally, changes in Z chromosome number did not affect the general mode of gene expression in Lepidoptera.
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Irina Haecker, Detlef Bartsch, Amanda Choo, Frantisek Marec
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anna K. Hundsdoerfer, Tilman Schell, Franziska Patzold, Charlotte J. Wright, Atsuo Yoshido, Frantisek Marec, Hana Daneck, Sylke Winkler, Carola Greve, Lars Podsiadlowski, Michael Hiller, Martin Pippel
Summary: This study assembled a chromosome-level genome for Spurge Hawkmoth (Hyles euphorbiae) and found that phenotypic similarity of wing patterns does not correlate with phylogenetic relationship. Wing pattern genes were identified in the two species, and it was discovered that repetitive elements and inversions may corrupt their function.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kristyna Pospisilova, Arjen E. Van't Hof, Atsuo Yoshido, Renata Kruzikova, Sander Visser, Magda Zrzava, Kseniya Bobryshava, Martina Dalikova, Frantisek Marec
Summary: This study investigated the role of the Masc gene in sex determination of the codling moth Cydia pomonella. The gene was found to control male development, and its knockdown resulted in a female-biased sex ratio. Additionally, the Masc gene was shown to be maternally provided, which is a unique finding in Lepidoptera.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Martina Orosova, Anna Markova, Magda Zrzava, Frantisek Marec, Mikulas Oros
Summary: The cytogenetics of Acanthocephala is a neglected area. This study applied karyological techniques and FISH to investigate the chromosomes of Acanthocephalus anguillae. The study revealed the presence of an additional B chromosome in individuals from the unfavorable environmental conditions of Zemplinska Sirava.
