Chromosomal characterization and physical mapping of the 5S and the 18S-5.8S-25S ribosomal DNA in Helianthus argophyllus, with new data from Helianthus annuus

Abstract

The characterization of the mitotic chromosomes of Helianthus argophyllus by means of Feulgen staining, Giemsa C-banding, and the usual DNA sequence-specific fluorochromes allows a chromosomal classification of this species, and shows that two kinds of heterochromatin co-exist equilocally in its chromosomes. One type is confined to the pericentromeric areas of all the chromosomes and the other is associated with the secondary constrictions of the satellite chromosomes. This species is evolutionarily very close to H. annuus with which it is involved in introgression breeding programs. Since these two species show no intra- or interspecific differences with the above treatments, we have used C-banding followed by DAPI, chromomycin A3 or Acridine Orange, and the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with 5S and 18S-25S ribosomal DNA probes to characterize further the chromosomes of both species in an attempt to find practically applicable chromosomal markers. Our results confirm the heterogeneity of the heterochromatin in these species and show that neither its distribution nor its response to distinct fluorochrome treatments allows better discrimination of the chromosomes within or between the species. On the other hand, the 18S-5.8S-25S rDNA arrays are located in the secondary constrictions of the satellited SM7, SM10, and ST13 pairs and the 5S-rDNA genes are interstitially placed on the short arm of the SM7 and SM11 chromosomes in both species. This permits these chromosomes to be distinguished and provides markers which may be helpful for further physical mapping of DNA sequences in these species.Key words: chromosome banding, sunflower cytogenetics, heterochromatin, ribosomal DNA mapping, FISH.