B chromosomes of rye are highly conserved and accompanied the development of early agriculture.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Supernumerary B chromosomes (Bs) represent a specific type of selfish genetic element. As Bs are dispensable for normal growth, it is expected to observe B polymorphisms among populations. To address whether Bs maintained in geographically distinct populations of cultivated and weedy rye are polymorphic, the distribution patterns and the transcriptional activity of different B-located repeats were analysed.

Methods

Bs of cultivated and weedy rye from seven origins were analysed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with probes specific for the pericentromeric and interstitial regions as well as the B-specific non-disjunction control region. The DNA replication, chromatin composition and transcription behaviour of the non-disjunction regions were de

SUBMITTER: Marques A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3718213 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature