Genetic recombination occurs during meiosis, the key developmental program of gametogenesis. Recombination in mammals has been recently linked to the activity of a histone H3 methyl-transferase, PRDM91–6, the product of the only known speciation gene in mammals7. PRDM9 is thought to determine the preferred recombination sites – recombination hotspots – through sequence-specific binding of its highly polymorphic multi-Zn-finger domain8. Nevertheless, Prdm9 knockout mice are proficient at initiating recombination 9. Here we map and analyze the genome-wide distribution of recombination initiation sites in Prdm9 knockout mice and in two mouse strains with different Prdm9 alleles and their F1 hybrid. We show that PRDM9 determines the positions of practically all hotspots in the mouse genome, with the remarkable exception of the pseudoautosomal region – the only area of the genome that undergoes recombination in 100% of cells10. Surprisingly, hotspots are still observed in Prdm9 knockout mice and as in wild-type, these hotspots are found at H3K4 trimethylation marks. However, in the absence of PRDM9, the majority of recombination is initiated at promoters and at other sites of PRDM9-independent H3K4 trimethylation. Such sites are rarely targeted in wild-type mice indicating an unexpected role of the PRDM9 protein in sequestering the recombination machinery away from gene promoter regions and other functional genomic elements.

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are introduced in meiosis to initiate recombination and generate crossovers, the reciprocal exchanges of genetic material between parental chromosomes. Here we present high-resolution maps of meiotic DSBs in individual human genomes. Comparing DSB maps between individuals shows that along with DNA binding by PRDM9, additional factors may dictate the efficiency of DSB formation. We find evidence for both GC-biased gene conversion and mutagenesis around meiotic DSB hotspots, while frequent co-localization of DSB hotspots with chromosome rearrangement breakpoints implicates the aberrant repair of meiotic DSBs in genomic disorders. Furthermore, our data indicate that DSB frequency is a major determinant of crossover rate. These maps provide new insights into the regulation of meiotic recombination and the impact of meiotic recombination on genome function.

Meiotic recombination predominantly occurs at discrete genomic loci called recombination hotspots, but the features defining these areas are still largely unknown (reviewed in1-5). To enable a comprehensive analysis of hotspot-associated DNA and chromatin characteristics we developed a direct molecular approach for mapping meiotic DNA double stranded breaks that initiate recombination. Here, we present the genome-wide distribution of recombination initiation sites in the mouse genome, constituting the first physical map of recombination hotspots in a multi-cellular organism. Hotspot centres are mapped with approximately 200-nucleotide precision that enables analysis of the fine structural details of the preferred recombination sites. We determine that hotspots share a centrally distributed consensus motif, possess a nucleotide skew that changes polarity at the centre of hotspots, and have an intrinsic preference to be occupied by a nucleosome. Furthermore, we find that the vast majority of recombination initiation sites in mouse males are associated with testis-specific trimethylation of lysine 4 on histone H3 that is distinct from histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation marks associated with transcription. The recombination map presented here has been derived from a homogeneous mouse population with a defined genetic background and therefore, lends itself to extensive future experimental exploration. Importantly, the mapping technique developed here does not depend on availability of genetic markers and hence can be easily adapted for other species with complex genomes. Our findings uncover several fundamental features of mammalian recombination hotspots and underline the power of the new recombination map for future studies of genetic recombination, genome stability and evolution.

Sex chromosomes are subject to sex-specific selective evolutionary forces 1,2 . One model predicts that genes with sexbiased expression should be enriched on the X chromosome 2-5 . In agreement with Rice's hypothesis 3 , spermatogonial genes are over-represented on the X chromosome of mice 6 and sex-and reproduction-related genes are over-represented on the human X chromosome 7,8 . Male-biased genes are under-represented on the X chromosome in worms and flies 9-11 , however. Here we show that mouse spermatogenesis genes are relatively underrepresented on the X chromosome and female-biased genes are enriched on it. We used Spo11 -/-mice blocked in spermatogenesis early in meiosis 12 to evaluate the temporal pattern of gene expression in sperm development. Genes expressed before the Spo11 block are enriched on the X chromosome, whereas those expressed later in spermatogenesis are depleted. Inactivation of the X chromosome in male meiosis may be a universal driving force for X-chromosome demasculinization.To investigate the genomic distribution of mouse genes with patterns of sex-biased expression, we analyzed the chromosomal distribution of genes expressed in sexually dimorphic tissues. We consider genes that are preferentially expressed in such tissues as testis, ovary and placenta to be sex-biased genes. We used two approaches to define the tissue specificity of genes expressed in mice: analysis of large-scale microarray-based gene expression data and analysis of the distribution of expressed-sequence tags (ESTs) in different cDNA libraries. Instead of focusing on transcripts restricted to a single tissue, our analysis targeted the identification of tissue-enriched transcripts using a 'preferential expression measure' (PEM) 13 . As an uniform source of expression data, we used publicly available data sets of mouse RNA samples representing 49 tissues hybridized to Affymetrix mouse U74A microarrays (GNF data set) 14 and 20 tissues analyzed with RIKEN cDNA microarrays (RIKEN data set) 15 .In the GNF data set 14 , expression of 624 genes (∼7% of all analyzed) in testis was three times greater than the median expression in other tissues, and expression of 361 genes in testis was five times greater (PEM values >1.58 and >2.32, respectively). These genes are considered testis-enriched genes. The chromosomal distribution of testisenriched genes was significantly different from uniform (χ 2 = 30.8, P = 0.05; Fig. 1a and Supplementary Table 1 online). The most significant deviation from the average gene density was on the X chromosome, where testis-enriched genes were 2.5 times less dense (the ratio of the density of testis-enriched genes on the X chromosome to the average density on all chromosomes, ρ X , was 0.40; χ 2 = 7.7, P = 0.006). The depletion of testis-enriched genes on the X chromosome was independent of the cut-off (three or five times greater expression) used in the selection process (Table 1). In addition, genes that were expressed most highly in testis and all the genes detected in testis were underrepresen...

Summary Changes in gene expression after treatment of Escherichia coli cultures with mitomycin C were assessed using gene array technology. Unexpectedly, a large number of genes (nearly 30% of all genes) displayed significant changes in their expression level. Analysis and classification of expression profiles of the corresponding genes allowed us to assign this large number of genes into one or two dozen small clusters of genes with similar expression profiles. This assignment allowed us to describe systematically the changes in the level of gene expression in response to DNA damage. Among the damage‐induced genes, more than 100 are novel. From those genes involved in DNA metabolism that have not previously been shown to be induced by DNA damage, the mutS gene involved in mismatch repair is especially noteworthy. In addition to the SOS response, we observed the induction of other stress response pathways, such as those of oxidative stress and osmotic protection. Among the genes that are downregulated in response to DNA damage are numerous protein biosynthesis genes. Analysis of the gene expression data highlighted the essential involvement of σs‐regulated genes and the general stress response network in the response to DNA damage.

In female (XX) mammals one of the two X chromosomes is inactivated to ensure an equal dose of X-linked genes with males (XY)1. X-inactivation in eutherian mammals is mediated by the non-coding RNA Xist2. Xist is not found in metatherians3 and how X-inactivation is initiated in these mammals has been the subject of speculation for decades4. Using the marsupial Monodelphis domestica we identify Rsx (RNA-on-the-silent X), an RNA that exhibits properties consistent with a role in X-inactivation. Rsx is a large, repeat-rich RNA that is expressed only in females and is transcribed from, and coats, the inactive X chromosome. In female germ cells, where both X chromosomes are active, Rsx is silenced, linking Rsx expression to X-inactivation and reactivation. Integration of an Rsx transgene on an autosome in mouse embryonic stem cells leads to gene silencing in cis. Our findings permit comparative studies of X-inactivation in mammals and pose questions about the mechanisms by which X-inactivation is achieved in eutherians.

Meiotic DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) initiate genetic recombination in discrete areas of the genome called recombination hotspots. DSBs can be directly mapped using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIPseq). Nevertheless, the genome-wide mapping of recombination hotspots in mammals is still a challenge due to the low frequency of recombination, high heterogeneity of the germ cell population, and the relatively low efficiency of ChIP. To overcome these limitations we have developed a novel method-single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) sequencing (SSDS)-that specifically detects protein-bound single-stranded DNA at DSB ends. SSDS comprises a computational framework for the specific detection of ssDNA-derived reads in a sequencing library and a new library preparation procedure for the enrichment of fragments originating from ssDNA. The use of our technique reduces the nonspecific double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) background >10-fold. Our method can be extended to other systems where the identification of ssDNA or DSBs is desired.

The hospital environment is a potential reservoir of bacteria with plasmids conferring carbapenem resistance. Our Hospital Epidemiology Service routinely performs extensive sampling of high-touch surfaces, sinks, and other locations in the hospital. Over a 2-year period, additional sampling was conducted at a broader range of locations, including housekeeping closets, wastewater from hospital internal pipes, and external manholes. We compared these data with previously collected information from 5 years of patient clinical and surveillance isolates. Whole-genome sequencing and analysis of 108 isolates provided comprehensive characterization of bla KPC /bla NDM -positive isolates, enabling an in-depth genetic comparison. Strikingly, despite a very low prevalence of patient infections with bla KPC -positive organisms, all samples from the intensive care unit pipe wastewater and external manholes contained carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPOs), suggesting a vast, resilient reservoir. We observed a diverse set of species and plasmids, and we noted species and susceptibility profile differences between environmental and patient populations of CPOs. However, there were plasmid backbones common to both populations, highlighting a potential environmental reservoir of mobile elements that may contribute to the spread of resistance genes. Clear associations between patient and environmental isolates were uncommon based on sequence analysis and epidemiology, suggesting reasonable infection control compliance at our institution. Nonetheless, a probable nosocomial transmission of Leclercia sp. from the housekeeping environment to a patient was detected by this extensive surveillance. These data and analyses further our understanding of CPOs in the hospital environment and are broadly relevant to the design of infection control strategies in many infrastructure settings.IMPORTANCE Carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPOs) are a global concern because of the morbidity and mortality associated with these resistant Gramnegative bacteria. Horizontal plasmid transfer spreads the resistance mechanism to new bacteria, and understanding the plasmid ecology of the hospital environment can assist in the design of control strategies to prevent nosocomial infections. A 5-year genomic and epidemiological survey was undertaken to study the CPOs in the patient-accessible environment, as well as in the plumbing system removed from the patient. This comprehensive survey revealed a vast, unappreciated reservoir of CPOs in wastewater, which was in contrast to the low positivity rate in both the patient population and the patient-accessible environment. While there were few patient-environmental isolate associations, there were plasmid backbones common to both populations. These results are relevant to all hospitals for which CPO colonization may not yet be defined through extensive surveillance.