Isolation and Chromosomal Mapping of a Corn B Chromosome Specific RAPDs

B染色体存在于多种动植物中 ,具有很多独特的性状。B染色体与正常染色体在DNA组成方面十分相似 ,寻找B染色体特异序列一直是B染色体研究的难点和热点。通过对含有和不含有B染色体的两种玉米 (ZeamaysL .)基因组进行了RAPD分析 ,筛选到一个B染色体特异性分子标记B480。该标记与玉米的自主复制起始序列ARS1和ARS2同源 ,特别是该序列中的 2 5bp出现在多种模式生物基因组中。FISH的结果显示 。

The molecular characterization of maize B chromosome specific AFLPs

The origin and evolution of B chromosomes could be explained by the specific DNA sequence on them. But the specific sequences known were quite limited. To investigate maize B chromosome sqicific DNA sequeces, maize genomes with and without B chromosomes were analyzed by AFLP. Only 5 markers were found specific to genomes with B chromosomes among about 2000 AFLP markers. Southern hybridization and sequence analysis revealed that only the sequence of M8-2D was a B chromosome specific sequence. This sequence contained the telomeric repeat unit AGGGTTT conserved in plant chromosome telomeres. In addition, the sequence of M8-2D shared low homology to clones from maize chromosome 4 centromere as well. M8-2D were localized to B chromosome centrorneric and telomeric regions.

Sporophytic nondisjunction of the maize B chromosome at high copy numbers

It has been known for decades that the maize B chromosome undergoes nondisjunction at the second pollen mitosis.Fluorescence in-situ hybridization （FISH） was used to undertake a quantitative study of maize plants with differing numbers of B chromosomes to observe if instability increases by increasing B dosage in root tip tissue.B chromosome nondisjunction was basically absent at low copy number,but increased at higher B numbers.Thus,B nondisjunction rates are dependent on the dosage of B＇s in the sporophyte.Differences in nondisjunction were also documented between odd and even doses of the B.In plants that have inherited odd numbered doses of the B chromosome,B loss is nearly twice as likely as B gain in a somatic division.When comparing plants with even doses of B＇s to plants with odd doses of B＇s,plants with even numbers had a significantly higher chance to increase in number.Therefore,the B＇s nondisjunctive capacity,previously thought to be primarily restricted to the gametophyte,is present in sporophytic cells.

Characters of DNA Constitution in the Rye B Chromosome

We have used chromosome microdissection and microcloning to construct a DNA library of the entire B chromosome （B） of rye. New rye B-specific sequences have been screened from this pool, blasted with other sequences and analyzed to elucidate the characters of DNA constitution and the possible pathway of the origin of the rye B chromosome. We report the discovery of a new sequence that is specific to the rye B centromere.

Variation of B Chromosome Associated with Tissue Culture in Wheat-rye Cross

In vitro variation of B chromosomes was studied by examining the callus cells derived from the immature embryos from a cross of Chinese Spring wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） and Fin 7416 rye （Secale cereale L.） carrying two B chromosomes. In 40-d-old callus cells, the numbers of B chromosomes ranged from one to four in 65.6% of the cells observed. The distribution of B chromosome numbers was associated with the ploidy levels of the normal chromosomes （A chromosomes）. The frequency of the cells with high numbers of B chromosomes （i.e., three or four B chromosomes） in the amphiploid cells with 56 A chromosomes was greater than those in the haploid cells with 28 A chromosomes. Although structural changes in the rye A chromosomes were observed, cytological observation and genomic in situ hybridization demonstrated that the rye B chromosomes were conserved in morphological appearance following tissue culture.

Supplemental Cytogeographical Studies on the Scilla sinensis （Louriro） Merrill Complex in China

Abstract: Seven hundred and fourteen individuals of the Scilla sinensis (Louriro) Merrill complex were sampled from 21 populations at 19 localities in 10 provinces and two cities of China and investigated cytologically in order to test its cytotype composition and cytogeographical variation still further. Five cytotypes were found (i.e. AA (2n = 16), BB (2n = 18), AABB (2n = 34), AAA (2n = 24), and AABB+9 (2n = 43)). Until now, nine of the 12 cytotypes have been identified on the continent, which indicates that it is an important place for the cytotypic differentiation of the complex. The cytotype AABB+9 is a new record on the continent. AAA was recorded for the second time in this complex. The majority of populations are composed of only one cytotype (AA, BB, or AABB), whereas another four populations consist of more than two cytotypes involving AA, BB, AAA, AABB, and AABB+9. The distribution of BB covers the entire region south to Huai River, whereas AA populations are distributed in Taiwan, Fujian, Hong Kong, and Guangdong and are isolated from its major distribution. The appearance of AABB+9 is possibly evidence for the degeneration of the subglobular bulb type of AABB and the fact that AAA and AAAA exist in the interior border regions of the range of this complex probably suggests that drought is a major factor promoting plant polyploidization. In addition, the mean numbers of B chromosomes per individual, the percentage of individuals with the B chromosome in each population, and the correlation coefficients between the latter and their latitude/longitude were calculated. Generally speaking, the B chromosome number is higher in BB populations compared with AA populations and there is a prominent tendency that the B chromosome content in either AA or BB populations correlates with the latitude and longitude of the populations.