B chromosomes (Bs) revealed more than a hundred years ago remain to be some of the most mysterious elements of the eukaryotic genome. Their origin and evolution, DNA composition, transcriptional activity, impact on adaptiveness, behavior in meiosis, and transfer to the next generation require intensive investigations using modern methods. Over the past years, new experimental techniques have been applied and helped us gain a deeper insight into the nature of Bs. Here, we consider mammalian Bs, taking into account data on their DNA sequencing, transcriptional activity, positions in nuclei of somatic and meiotic cells, and impact on genome functioning. Comparative cytogenetics of Bs suggests the existence of different mechanisms of their formation and evolution. Due to the long and complicated evolvement of Bs, the similarity of their morphology could be explained by the similar mechanisms involved in their development while the difference between Bs even of the same origin could appear due to their positioning at different stages of their evolution. A complex analysis of their DNA composition and other features is required to clarify the origin and evolutionary history of Bs in the species studied. The intraspecific diversity of Bs makes this analysis a very important element of B chromosome studies.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6211034 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/genes9100490 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
The iMab antibody selectively binds to intramolecular and intermolecular i-motif structures.
Nucleic Acids Res
January 2025
Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, via A. Gabelli 63, 35121 Padua, Italy.
i-Motifs (iMs) are quadruplex nucleic acid conformations that form in cytosine-rich regions. Because of their acidic pH dependence, iMs were thought to form only in vitro. The recent development of an iM-selective antibody, iMab, has allowed iM detection in cells, which revealed their presence at gene promoters and their cell cycle dependence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFECM Modifications Driven by Age and Metabolic Stress Directly Promote the Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Osteogenic Processes.
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol
January 2025
British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom. (M.W., M.F., R.O., L.S., M.M., C.M.S.).
Background: The ECM (extracellular matrix) provides the microenvironmental niche sensed by resident vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Aging and disease are associated with dramatic changes in ECM composition and properties; however, their impact on the VSMC phenotype remains poorly studied.
Methods: Here, we describe a novel in vitro model system that utilizes endogenous ECM to study how modifications associated with age and metabolic disease impact the VSMC phenotype.
Correlation of fecal microbiome dysregulation to synovial transcriptome in an equine model of obesity associated osteoarthritis.
Ann Transl Med
December 2024
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is increasingly thought to be a multifactorial disease in which sustained gut inflammation serves as a continued source of inflammatory mediators driving degenerative processes at distant sites such as joints. The objective of this study was to use the equine model of naturally occurring obesity associated OA to compare the fecal microbiome in OA and health and correlate those findings to differential gene expression synovial fluid (SF) cells, circulating leukocytes and cytokine levels (plasma, SF) towards improved understanding of the interplay between microbiome and immune transcriptome in OA pathophysiology.
Methods: Feces, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and SF cells were isolated from healthy skeletally mature horses (n=12; 6 males, 6 females) and those with OA (n=6, 2 females, 4 males).
Application of a new composite genetic marker semen-specific methylation-microhaplotype in the analysis of semen-vaginal fluid mixtures.
R Soc Open Sci
January 2025
Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, No172. Tongzipo Road, Changsha, Hunan 410013, People's Republic of China.
DNA mixtures containing semen and vaginal fluid are common biological samples in forensic analysis. However, the analysis of semen-vaginal fluid mixtures remains challenging. In this study, to solve these problems, it is proposed to combine semen-specific CpG sites and closely related microhaplotype sites to form a new composite genetic marker (semen-specific methylation-microhaplotype).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFActivated sludge prokaryote and eukaryote characterization in a pulp mill facility using amplicon sequencing.
Heliyon
July 2024
Bioinformatics Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.
The pulp and paper industry, a major global sector, supports economies and jobs while contributing to various products. While providing valuable products, and despite Best Available Techniques (BAT) being used, managing wastewater effectively remains a key area for developing technologies and alternatives for environmental protection. Activated sludge (AS) systems are commonly used for effluent treatment, where microorganisms composition influences reactor efficiency.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!