Whole-genome duplication and hemoglobin differentiation traits between allopatric populations of Brazilian Odontophrynus americanus species complex (Amphibia, Anura).

Two allopatric populations of Brazilian diploid and tetraploid Odontophrynus americanus species complex, both from São Paulo state, had their blood hemoglobin biochemically analyzed. In addition, these specimens were cytogenetically characterized. Biochemical characterization of hemoglobin expression showed a distinct banding pattern between the allopatric specimens.

Polyploidy and epigenetic events in the evolution of Anura.

This article reviews the polyploidy events that have long been demonstrated to play a role in the evolution of Anura, while also discussing the importance of epigenetic control of gene expression and diversity. Findings on Brazilian autopolyploid anurans, mainly of the genus Odontophrynus, obtained in previous studies on their cytogenetics, chromatin ultrastructure, and molecular gene regulation are discussed here. Our data on genome duplication and on epigenetic events were analyzed here regarding phylogenetic trees, including the classic 2R model for vertebrate evolution and the growing evidence of similar epigenetic mechanisms in animal and allopolyploid plants.

The kinin B(2) receptor gene structure, product processing and expression in adult and fetal rats: evidence for gene evolution.

We examined the structure of the rat kinin B2 receptor gene (KB2r) and encoding messenger RNA (mRNA) processing. Differently from the closely related mouse and rabbit genes that have three exons and two introns, the rat gene purportedly consists of four exons and three introns. There are two purported gene products; one of them contains an upstream approximately 180-bp open reading frame region ("exon-X") potentially expressed as a result of alternative processing.

Pore-linked filaments in anura spermatocyte nuclei.

Pore-linked filaments were visualized in spreads of anuran spermatocyte nuclei using transmission electron microscope. We used Odontophrynus diplo and tetraploid species having the tetraploid frogs reduced metabolic activities. The filaments with 20-40 nm width are connected to a ring component of the nuclear pore complex with 90-120 nm and extend up to 1 microm (or more) into the nucleus.

Evolution by polyploidy and gene regulation in Anura.

The evolution of the metazoa has been characterized by gene redundancy, generated by polyploidy, tandem duplication and retrotransposition. Polyploidy can be detected by looking for duplicated chromosomes or segments of orthologous chromosomes in post-polyploid animals. It has been proposed that the evolutionary role of polyploidy is to provide extra-copies of genes, whose subsequent alteration leads to new functions, increased biological complexity, and, ultimately, speciation.

Somatic pairing, endomitosis and chromosome aberrations in snakes (Viperidae and Colubridae).

The positioning of macrochromosomes of Bothrops jararaca and Bothrops insularis (Viperidae) was studied in undistorted radial metaphases of uncultured cells (spermatogonia and oogonia) not subjected to spindle inhibitors. Colchicinized metaphases from uncultured (spleen and intestine) and cultured tissues (blood) were also analyzed. We report two antagonic non-random chromosome arrangements in untreated premeiotic cells: the parallel configuration with homologue chromosomes associated side by side in the metaphase plate and the antiparallel configuration having homologue chromosomes with antipolar distribution in the metaphase ring.

Evolution by polyploidy in Amphibia: new insights.

Polyploidy is an important mechanism of evolution in lower vertebrates, resulting in gene duplication and loci duplication evolving to diploidization. In polyploid anurans DNA is increased, but RNA and protein synthesis is kept at the same levels as in their diploid counterparts. Recent cytogenetic findings in Odontophrynus americanus show: (1) amphiplasty and asynchrony of the cell division cycle in 4n and (2) intra- and interindividual alterations of chromosome 4 morphology in 4n and 2n through breaks at secondary constrictions and at/or around the centromeres, followed by the appearance of changes of centromeres position, dicentrics, bisatellited chromosomes, precocious sister-chromatid segregation, and loss or unequal segregation of the chromosomes.

Ribosomal cistrons in Bothrops neuwiedi (Serpentes) subspecies from Brazil.

The ribosomal cistrons of six subspecies of Bothrops neuwiedi (Serpentes) were studied at both the cytogenetic and molecular levels. These subspecies populations occur in several Brazilian regions. The analysis of the nucleolar organizing region banding patterns showed variability in the chromosomal localization of rDNA cistrons.

Can a protein influence the fate of its own coding sequence?: the amino- and carboxyl-terminal regions of H1 histone.

The amino- and carboxyl-terminal regions of H1 histone are afforded an opportunity to bind to their own coding segments. While such binding is of no consequence to the type of H1 histone that is expressed only in terminally differentiated cells (here referred to as H5), the same binding occurring in H1 of proliferating cells might affect the course of evolution of its amino- and carboxyl-terminal regions. With the above in mind, amino acid sequences of H5 from three species were compared with those of H1 from five species.

Behaviour of the ZW sex bivalent in the snake Bothrops jararaca.

The behavior of the ZW sex bivalent was investigated in female meiosis of the poisonous snake Bothrops jararaca. The Z is euchromatic and synapses end to end with the W. The W chromosome shows a heterochromatic segment distally in the short arm.

Chromatin circles in amphibian provitellogenic oocytes.

Previtellogenic oocytes of Odontophrynus americanus display hundreds of chromatin circles. Electron microscopy of spread preparations of isolated nuclei shows that the circles originate from the chromatin. The circles change their morphology and form new copies.

Arrangement of nucleosomes in condensed chromatin fibres.

Condensed chromatin shows globules of 300 A formed by approximately 8 to 10 nucleosomes. Each globule might be an uncoiled turn of a supercoil. This supercoil forms major coils along the fibre.

Circles in spermatocyte chromatin loops. Electron microscopy and AgAs-NORs studies.

We describe the production of circles in chromomeric loops during the pachytene stage of the spermatocytes. These circles are found attached to chromatin or already free in the nucleoplasm. Each circle measures an average of 3700 A in circunference.

Chromatin ultrastructure of lower vertebrates.

Meiotic and mitotic chromosomes from amphibians and snakes were studied by electron microscopy. By using water spreading, preceded by a mild NaCl pretreatment, we showed: 1. 'Beads on a string' arrangement of the chromatin fibres; 2.

Mouse sex vesicle. C-band and pairing at the light and electron microscope.

C banded mouse pachytene chromsomes were studied with the light and electron microscopes by the whole mount technique. The X and Y chromosomes show pairing by the long, by the short or by both long and short arms. Assuming Lyon's hypothesis, the latter suggests that the Y segment transferred to the X is intercalar.