A 'selfish' B chromosome induces genome elimination by disrupting the histone code in the jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis.

ABSTRACT: Intragenomic conflict describes a phenomenon in which genetic elements act 'selfishly' to gain a transmission advantage at the expense of the whole genome. A non-essential, selfish B chromosome known as Paternal Sex Ratio (PSR) induces complete elimination of the sperm-derived hereditary material in the jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis. PSR prevents the paternal chromatin from forming chromosomes during the first embryonic mitosis, leading to its loss. Although paternally transmitted, PSR evades self-elimination in order to be inherited. We examined important post-translational modifications to the DNA packaging histones on the normal genome and the PSR chromosome in the fertilized embryo. Three histone marks - H3K9me2,3, H3K27me1, and H4K20me1 - became abnormally enriched and spread to ecto

SUBMITTER: Aldrich JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5304203 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature