Detection of a variable number of 18S-5.8S-26S and 5S ribosomal DNA loci by fluorescent in situ hybridization in diploid and tetraploid Arachis species

Abstract

In order to obtain new information on the genome organization of Arachis ribosomal DNA, more particularly among A. hypogaea and its close relatives, the distribution of the 18S-5.8S-26S and 5S ribosomal RNA gene families on the chromosomes of 21 diploid and tetraploid Arachis species, selected from six of nine taxonomic sections, was analyzed by in situ hybridization with pTa71 (18S-5.8S-26S rDNA) and pTa794 (5S rDNA) clones. Two major 18S-5.8S-26S rDNA loci with intense signals were found in the nucleolus organizer regions (NOR) of each of the diploid and tetraploid species. In addition to extended signals at major NORs, two to six medium and (or) minute-sized signals were also observed. Variability in the number, size, and location of 18S-5.8S-26S sites could generally distinguish species within the same genome as well as between species with different genomes. The use of double fluorescence in situ hybridization enabled us to locate the positions of 5S rRNA genes in relation to the chromosomal location of 18S-5.8S-26S rRNA genes in Arachis chromosomes which were difficult to karyotype. Two or four 5S rDNA loci and 18S-5.8S-26S rDNA loci were generally located on different chromosomes. The tandemly repeated 5S rDNA sites were diagnostic for T and C genomes. In one species, each of B and Am genomes, the two ribosomal gene families were observed to occur at the same locus. Barring A. ipaensis and A. valida, all the diploid species had characteristic centromeric bands in all the 20 chromosomes. In tetraploid species A. hypogaea and A. monticola only 20 out of 40 chromosomes showed centromeric bands. Comparative studies of distribution of the two ribosomal gene families, and occurrence of centromeric bands in only 20 chromosomes of the tetraploid species suggests that A. villosa and A. ipaensis are the diploid progenitors of A. hypogaea and A. monticola. This study excludes A. batizocoi as the B genome donor species for A. hypogaea and A. monticola.Key words: Arachis species, 5S rRNA, 18S-5.8S-26S rRNA, in situ hybridization, evolution.