Summary Mammalian karyotypes (number and structure of chromosomes) can vary dramatically over short evolutionary time frames [1–3]. There are examples of massive karyotype conversion, from mostly telocentric (centromere terminal) to mostly metacentric (centromere internal), in 102–105 years [4, 5]. These changes typically reflect rapid fixation of Robertsonian (Rb) fusions, a common chromosomal rearrangement that joins two telocentric chromosomes at their centromeres to create one metacentric [5]. Fixation of Rb fusions can be explained by meiotic drive: biased chromosome segregation during female meiosis in violation of Mendel’s First Law [3, 6, 7]. However, there is no mechanistic explanation of why fusions would preferentially segregate to the egg in some populations, leading to fixation and karyotype change, while other populations preferentially eliminate the fusions and maintain a telocentric karyotype. Here we show, using both laboratory models and wild mice, that differences in centromere strength predict the direction of drive. Stronger centromeres, manifested by increased kinetochore protein levels and altered interactions with spindle microtubules, are preferentially retained in the egg. We find that fusions preferentially segregate to the polar body in laboratory mouse strains when the fusion centromeres are weaker than those of telocentrics. Conversely, fusion centromeres are stronger relative to telocentrics in natural house mouse populations that have changed karyotype by accumulating metacentric fusions. Our findings suggest that natural variation in centromere strength explains how the direction of drive can switch between populations. They also provide a cell biological basis of centromere drive and karyotype evolution.
Several karyotypic forms have been previously described in populations of the vole species Microtus thomasi from Greece. In particular, the karyomorphs Microtus thomasi ‘thomasi’ and ‘atticus’ differ in X chromosome morphology, being acrocentric and subtelocentric, respectively. Furthermore, remarkable heterochromatin content variability has been described in sex chromosomes of both karyomorphs. Genomic DNA digestion with AluI allowed us to clone an 884 bp long repeated DNA sequence (Mth-Alu900) from the karyomorph M. thomasi ‘atticus’. This repeated DNA is AT rich and seems to be organized mainly as a dimer of the 884-bp unit, which presents three simple repeats (CAAAT, CAGAT and CAGAC) that constitute 80% of the total unit length. This repeated DNA is exclusive to M. thomasi, since it is absent from the genome of other studied Arvicolinae species. The chromosomal location of Mth-Alu900 was analyzed on M. thomasi ‘thomasi’ and M. thomasi ‘atticus’ karyomorphs, with different sex chromosome constitution. It was mainly located on the pericentromeric heterochromatin of most autosomes and X chromosomes on both karyomorphs. Results are also discussed in relation to karyotypic and sex chromosome variations in M. thomasi. To our knowledge, Mth-Alu900 constitutes a new – the third discovered so far – pericentromeric repeated DNA sequence described in Microtus species.
A selective sweep is the result of strong positive selection driving newly occurring or standing genetic variants to fixation, and can dramatically alter the pattern and distribution of allelic diversity in a population. Population-level sequencing data have enabled discoveries of selective sweeps associated with genes involved in recent adaptations in many species. In contrast, much debate but little evidence addresses whether "selfish" genes are capable of fixation-thereby leaving signatures identical to classical selective sweeps-despite being neutral or deleterious to organismal fitness. We previously described R2d2, a large copy-number variant that causes nonrandom segregation of mouse Chromosome 2 in females due to meiotic drive. Here we show population-genetic data consistent with a selfish sweep driven by alleles of R2d2 with high copy number (R2d2 HC ) in natural populations. We replicate this finding in multiple closed breeding populations from six outbred backgrounds segregating for R2d2 alleles. We find that R2d2 HC rapidly increases in frequency, and in most cases becomes fixed in significantly fewer generations than can be explained by genetic drift. R2d2HC is also associated with significantly reduced litter sizes in heterozygous mothers, making it a true selfish allele. Our data provide direct evidence of populations actively undergoing selfish sweeps, and demonstrate that meiotic drive can rapidly alter the genomic landscape in favor of mutations with neutral or even negative effects on overall Darwinian fitness. Further study will reveal the incidence of selfish sweeps, and will elucidate the relative contributions of selfish genes, adaptation and genetic drift to evolution.
The underground vole Microtus thomasi, a Balkan endemic, displays remarkable variability in sex chromosome size and morphology. In the present study, we demonstrate this variability in two of its chromosomal races with 2n = 44 (i.e. 'thomasi' and 'atticus') with the use of C-banding on a sample of 189 individuals from 50 localities of Greece. In 'thomasi', five different, acrocentric X chromosome variants (X0-X4) are described, which differ significantly in size, due to heterochromatin addition. Also, three Y chromosome variants are described (Y0-Y2), ranging in size from very small (Y0) to large (Y2). The 'atticus' race displays three subtelocentric variants of the X chromosome (Xst0-Xst2), which differ in arm length ratio and heterochromatin content. In Peloponnesus, males of this race exhibit Y0 and Y1, whereas, in Attiki (south-east Sterea Ellada), males carry the small metacentric, Ym. Overall, there is a trend towards sex chromosome size increase in a south to north direction. We propose that the last glaciation must have restricted M. thomasi to a refugium in southern Peloponnesus. During post-glacial colonization, limited northward expansion of its distribution area must have been accompanied by consecutive heterochromatin addition, which is proven today by comparatively larger sex chromosomes in the northern populations of 'thomasi' and 'atticus' in Greece than in their southern populations.
a b s t r a c tIn order to better define the geographical distribution of the underground vole Microtus thomasi and the chromosomal variability, within its natural populations, we studied 77 individuals from 14 localities of Albania and Montenegro. Chromosomal preparations were obtained from bone marrow and testicular material, on which a karyological analysis, based on C-banding patterns was performed. The examined individuals belonged to the chromosomal races ''thomasi'' (2n =44, FN =44), ''subalpine'' (2n = 42, FN = 42) and ''Rb-subalpine'' (2n = 40, FN = 42), which are also distributed in Greece. However, the C-banding pattern revealed an extensive sex chromosome polymorphism, demonstrated by three different X and three different Y chromosomal variants. Taking under consideration all available chromosomal data for M. thomasi, it seems that the species could possess the highest chromosomal variability, within its genus. It is proposed that due to the limited mobility of the underground vole and the rough, mountainous terrain of the Balkan Peninsula, it is possible that several small populations were isolated, in which inbreeding and random genetic drift led to the fixation of different chromosomal mutations, giving rise to the extensive chromosomal variability, observed today.
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