Isolation and molecular characterization of a highly polymorphic centromeric tandem repeat in the family falconidae

LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposons are the most abundant type of mammalian retroelement. They have profound effects on genome plasticity and have been proposed to fulfill essential host functions, yet it remains unclear where they lie on the spectrum from parasitism to mutualism. Their ubiquity makes it difficult to determine the extent of their effects on genome evolution and gene expression because of the relative dearth of animal models lacking L1 activity. We have isolated L1 sequences from 11 megabat species by a method that enriches for recently inserted L1s and have done a bioinformatic examination of L1 sequences from a 12th species whose genome was recently shotgun sequenced. An L1 extinction event appears to have occurred at least 24 million years ago (MYA) in an ancestor of the megabats. The ancestor was unusual in having maintained two highly divergent long-term L1 lineages with different levels of activity, which appear, on an evolutionary scale, to have simultaneously lost that activity. These megabat species can serve as new animal models to ask what effect loss of L1 activity has on mammalian genome evolution and gene expression.

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“…Tissues were obtained from The Museum, Texas Tech University. Genomic DNA was extracted as previously described (Longmire et al 1988).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Loss of LINE-1 Activity in the Megabats

et al. 2008

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“…Genomic DNA was extracted from frozen liver of 22 specimens following the technique described by Longmire et al (1988). We included specimens from the 6 sampled localities plus the 3 loan specimens from Navarino Island and Tierra del Fuego.…”

Section: Nucleotide Sequencing Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Range expansion of Oligoryzomys longicaudatus (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae) in Patagonian Chile, and first record of Hantavirus in the region

Belmar-Lucero

Godoy

Ferrés

et al. 2009

Rev. chil. hist. nat.

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RESUMENActualmente se reconocen 20 especies de Oligoryzomys (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae) en la región Neotropical, la mayoría de ellas distinguidas por sus cariotipos, los que fluctúan entre 46-70 cromosomas. En Chile se reconocen dos especies, Oligoryzomys longicaudatus (Bennet, 1832; "colilargo"; 2n = 56), desde los 27º S hasta aproximadamente 51º S, y Oligoryzomys magellanicus (Bennet, 1836; 2n = 54), al sur de los 51 º S en la región Patagónica de Chile y Argentina. Como parte de una investigación en curso en la Patagonia sur de Chile, reportamos los resultados de muestreos de pequeños mamíferos en seis localidades. Cariotipamos 28 especímenes y secuenciamos la región hipervariable I del mtDNA en 22 individuos, alineando estas secuencias con una filogenia de O. longicaudatus en desarrollo. Adicionalmente evaluamos la serología y la presencia de carga viral en todos los especímenes capturados con el objeto de detectar la presencia de anticuerpos anti-Andesvirus (ANDV) mediante Strip Immunoblot Assay (SIA), y de genoma viral mediante RT-PCR. Los resultados muestran consistentemente que el cariotipo de los especímenes de la Patagonia sur de Chile es 2n = 56, similar al de O. longicaudatus, y que los individuos de esta región no se diferencian filogenéticamente de aquellos del norte del rango de distribución de esta especie. Adicionalmente, los análisis serológicos demostraron la presencia de anticuerpos IgG anti-ANDV y de genoma viral en corazón, riñón, bazo y pulmones de un especimen de Oligoryzomys de la localidad de Fuerte Bulnes en la Región de Magallanes. Concluimos que todos los especímenes capturados al sur de los 51º S corresponden a Oligoryzomys longicaudatus, expandiendo así el rango de distribución de esta especie hasta al menos 55º S. Los resultados también extienden la distribución de la cepa Andes de Hantavirus al extremo sur de la Patagonia.Palabras clave: "colilargo", Hantavirus, Oligoryzomys longicaudatus, O. magellanicus, Patagonia. ABSTRACTAt present, 20 species of Oligoryzomys (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae) are recognized in the Neotropical region, most of them distinguished by their karyotypes, which fluctuates between 46-70 chromosomes. Two species are currently recognized in Chile, Oligoryzomys longicaudatus (Bennet, 1832; "colilargo" or the long-tailed pygmy rice rat; 2n = 56), which ranges from 27° to approximately 51° S, and O. magellanicus (Bennet, 1836; Magellanic pygmy rice rat; 2n = 54), south of 51° S in the Patagonian region of Chile and Argentina. As part of an ongoing research on the southern Patagonia of Chile, we report the results of small mammal samplings in six localities. We karyotyped 28 specimens and we also sequenced the hypervariable mtDNA region I in 22 individuals, aligning these sequences with an under development phylogeny of O. longicaudatus. We also evaluated the serology and viral charge in all captured specimens to detect the presence of antibodies to Andes virus (ANDV) through Strip Immunoblot Assay (SIA), and of viral genome by RT-PCR. The results consistently showe...

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“…Two microhematocrit tubes were prepared per individual (n519) from whole blood, centrifuged (Mobilespin Model 128, Vulcon Technologies, Grandview, Missouri, USA) for 20 min, and the packed cell volumes (PCV) determined. Two to three drops of blood were added to cryogenic vials containing a lysis buffer preservative solution (Longmire et al, 1988) and held at ambient temperature for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for sex determination. The remaining whole blood was centrifuged for 20 min, and separate cryogenic vials were used to preserve the plasma or serum and the packed red blood cells (RBC).…”

Section: Sample Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hematology, Plasma Chemistry, and Serology of the Flightless Cormorant (Phalacrocorax Harrisi) in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Travis

Vargas

Merkel

et al. 2006

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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ABSTRACT:The flightless cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi) is an endemic species of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Health studies of the species have not previously been conducted. In August 2003, baseline samples were collected from flightless cormorant colonies on the islands of Isabela and Fernandina. Seventy-six birds, from nestlings to adults, were evaluated. Genetic sexing of 70 cormorants revealed 37 females and 33 males. Hematology assessment consisted of packed cell volume (n519), leukograms (n569), and blood smear evaluation (n569). Microscopic evaluation of blood smears revealed microfilaria in 33% (23/69) of the cormorants. Plasma chemistries were performed on 46 cormorants. There was no significant difference in chemistry values or complete blood counts between male and female cormorants or between age groups. Based on a serologic survey to assess exposure to avian pathogens, birds (n569) were seronegative for West Nile virus, avian paramyxovirus type 1 (Newcastle disease virus), avian paramyxovirus types 2 and 3, avian influenza, infectious bursal disease, infectious bronchitis, Marek's disease (herpes), reovirus, avian encephalomyelitis, and avian adenovirus type 2. Antibodies to avian adenovirus type 1 and Chlamydophila psittaci were found in 31% (21/68) and 11% (7/65) of flightless cormorants respectively. Chlamydophila psittaci was detected via polymerase chain reaction in 6% (2/33) of the cormorants. The overall negative serologic findings of this research suggest that the flightless cormorant is an immunologically naÏve species, which may have a reduced capacity to cope with the introduction of novel pathogens.

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Isolation and molecular characterization of a highly polymorphic centromeric tandem repeat in the family falconidae

Cited by 280 publications

References 22 publications

Loss of LINE-1 Activity in the Megabats

Loss of LINE-1 Activity in the Megabats

Range expansion of Oligoryzomys longicaudatus (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae) in Patagonian Chile, and first record of Hantavirus in the region

Hematology, Plasma Chemistry, and Serology of the Flightless Cormorant (Phalacrocorax Harrisi) in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

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