Cytogenetic Research Research Articles

Complex cytogenetic research of cryptic chromosomal aberrations in patients with multiple myeloma

Background . Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant lymphoproliferative B-cell disease characterization by clonal proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow and beyond its borders. Currently, a wide range of cytogenetic anomalies and molecular-biological parameters are studied as prognostic factors.Objective: a comparative study of the frequency, features and clinical significance of chromosomal abnormalities in MM by conventional cytogenetic and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) methods.Materials and methods . 77 patients with MM, which admitted in N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, were included in the study from 2016 to 2017.Results . Chromosomal alterations were detected only in one case (1/77) by conventional cytogenetic method G-banding. However cytogenetic aberrations were revealed in 26 % of cases (20/77) using FISH. Deletions of different regions of chromosomes, indicating the possible presence of a hypodiploid clone or loss of some regions, were found in one patient in the second FISH analysis after 6 months. In the cohort of patients with chromosomal abnormalities (n = 20) a partial trisomy 11q, a deletion of the region q32 of the chromosome 14, a translocation t(4;14)(p16;q32) and IGHV gene rearrangement were determined in 30 % (6/20) as sole anomalies. Two or more cytogenetic aberrations were identified in the remaining 14 patients. Our study confirms that chromosomal abnormalities are more likely detected at later stages of MM (IA и IIA – 0 %, IIIA и IIIВ – 27 and 47 % respectively).Conclusion . FISH allows to detect chromosomal changes in tumor plasma cells regardless of the mitosis phase. In MM, it becomes particularly important in connection with low proliferative activity of plasma cells. Additionally, in the fourth of MM patients in the study submicroscopic chromosomal aberrations were discovered using FISH. The improvement of the probe panel and the widespread use of locus specific FISH don’t replace G-banding that allows to see damages of all chromosomes at once.

Flávio Ferreira Pinto de Resende (1907–1967): A portuguese scientist and hero‐botanist, and his forays into systematics

Flávio Ferreira Pinto de Resende (1907–1967): A portuguese scientist and hero‐botanist, and his forays into systematics

Fluorescence in situ hybridization in plants: recent developments and future applications.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was developed more than 30years ago and has been the most paradigm-changing technique in cytogenetic research. FISH has been used to answer questions related to structure, mutation, and evolution of not only individual chromosomes but also entire genomes. FISH has served as an important tool for chromosome identification in many plant species. This review intends to summarize and discuss key technical development and applications of FISH in plants since 2006. The most significant recent advance of FISH is the development and application of probes based on synthetic oligonucleotides (oligos). Oligos specific to a repetitive DNA sequence, to a specific chromosomal region, or to an entire chromosome can be computationally identified, synthesized in parallel, and fluorescently labeled. Oligo probes designed from conserved DNA sequences from one species can be used among genetically related species, allowing comparative cytogenetic mapping of these species. The advances with synthetic oligo probes will significantly expand the applications of FISH especially in non-model plant species. Recent achievements and future applications of FISH and oligo-FISH are discussed.

Pathological Mitosis and Mixoploidy in the Meristematic Tissues of Grape Plant

The emergence of cells with pathological mitosis and the deviation from diploidity in the meristematic tissue of experimental plants of the genus Vitis (Tournef.) Linn. obtained from stenospermocarpic seeds was evaluated. The grape plants obtained from crossing seedless varieties with seedless and seed pollinators were the material for cytogenetic research. A total of 11 crosses were made. The cytogenetic analysis was carried out according to the recommended methods for fruit crops and grape. A total of 11 039 cells were examined. The pathology of mitosis in the cells of grape plants in vitro was observed, in particular, a hollow metaphase, a three-group metaphase and a metaphase with polar chromosomes as well as haploid, triploid, and tetraploid cells. The total frequency of abnormal cells was 0.15. The pathology of mitosis is observed in meristematic tissue of grape varieties as well. The evaluation of emergence of mitotic anomalies in the meristematic tissue of plants was carried out. The correspondence between the actual distribution of the anomalies in experimental populations and the theoretical distribution, as well as the degree of their relative habit to populations, the indices of absolute, relative, and intrapopulation diversity, was determined. As a result of the study of the polyembrionic hybrid offspring of grapes, differentiation in the equitability of distribution and habit of five mitotic anomalies to 11 populations was revealed, and differences between experimental populations by diversity were detected. The maximum degree of relative diversity of populations reached a value of 0.503. In general, the low relative diversity indicates a lack of complete equalization of anomalies by the presence in the populations.

Cotton Improvement Conference 1948-2018 and Cotton Genetics Research Award 1961-2018

The 70th anniversary of the Cotton Improvement Conference (CIC) was celebrated at the 2018 annual meeting. The CIC was organized in 1948 at a meeting held in conjunction with the Southern Agricultural Workers in New Orleans, LA. The structure of the CIC was informal with the purpose of allowing state, federal, and other cotton workers to report on research, exchange ideas and facilitate research program planning. The first meeting was held in Baton Rouge, LA in 1949. Few records remain of the early years of the conference even though mimeograph proceedings were produced. In 1956, the CIC joined the Beltwide Cotton Production Conference and has continued to meet annually with this group. In 1956, the Beltwide Conferences consisted of the Cotton Disease Council, founded in 1936, Cotton Defoliation – Physiology, established in 1942, Cotton Insect Control (1947), and CIC. Through the years members of the CIC have played key roles in the Joint Cotton Breeding Policy Committee, National Cotton Variety Test Program, and the Cotton Winter Nursery. The reporting of research, exchanging of ideas, and cooperation among public and private cotton workers has persisted throughout the 70 years of the CIC and these activities have benefitted the cotton industry. The Cotton Genetics Research Award was established in 1961 by the commercial cotton breeders to recognize scientific achievement in basic research in cotton genetics, cytogenetics and breeding.

Features of the state of the chromosomal apparatus of spouses with disorders of reproductive function

Chromosomal anomalies are the most frequent reason of infertility in the world. This is one of the reasons for abortion in the early stages, stillbirth or the birth of a child with multiple malformations. The general level of chromosomal aberrations in the population is 0.5-3.0 %, while among people with impaired fertility this level ranges from 2.9 to 14%. The results of karyotyping of 1024 patients with problems of reproduction function, which appealed to the Center of Human Reproduction «Clinic of Professor Feskov O.» in the period from 2009 to 2014, were presented in the article. For the cytogenetic research of patients, metaphase chromosomes were used. Samples were obtained from culture of peripheral blood according to standard technique. For staining of chromosomes slides GTG-method and CBG-method were used. Analysis of slides was carried out in accordance with the International system of the cytogenetic nomenclature. Different types of chromosomal aberrations have been detected in the karyotypes of the patients in 6.05% cases, in population this value is 0.5–3.0 %. This increase in the number of changes in karyotype in patients with infertility in comparison with the population level is statistically significant (р˂0.05). There are numerical chromosome abnormalities, structural chromosome rearrangements and chromosomes polymorphisms in the patients. Among identified changes the chromosomes polymorphisms are more frequent, it total 2.4% in our group. Among them 1.25% cases of increase in length of satellite on the short arm of acrocentric chromosomes, 0.67% – increase in length of centromeric heterochromatin, 0.38% – increase in length of heterochromatin on the long arm of chromosomes 9, 16, Y. Structural chromosome rearrangements were found in 2.11% patients, among them inversions – 0.86%, Robertsonian translocations and reciprocal translocations – 0.58% і 0.1% respectively, insertions – 0.1%, additional material of unknown origin – 0.1% and marker chromosomes – 0.1%. Numerical chromosomes abnormalities have been detected in 1.63% cases (17 patients out of 1042) – among them Klinefelter syndrome – 0.67% patients, and cases with different mosaic karyotype for sex chromosomes – 0.96%. So it is recommended to carry out karyotyping of couples with infertility.

Clinical Feature and Genetic Alterations in Myeloid/Natural Killer (NK) Cell Precursor Acute Leukemia and Myeloid/NK Cell Acute Leukemia

Introduction: Myeloid/Natural killer cell precursor acute leukemia (MNKPL) and myeloid/NK cell acute leukemia (MNKL) is a rare hematologic malignancy prevalent in East Asia. MNKPL is characterized by marked extramedullary involvement, immature lymphoblastoid morphology without myeloperoxidase (MPO) reactivity, a CD7+/CD33+/CD34+/CD16−/CD15−/+/HLA-DR+ phenotype, myeloid chemosensitivity, and a poor prognosis. By contrast, MNKL shows no extramedullary involvement, a HLA‐DR−/CD33+/CD16−/CD34−/+ phenotype, myeloid chemosensitivity, and a good prognosis. However, analysis of outcome and genetic alterations in these leukemias are limited. Here, we report outcome and genetic alterations in the patients with MNKPL and MNKL.Methods: The Leukemia and Lymphoma Committee of the Japanese Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (JSPHO) sent out two questionnaires to 110 JSPHO affiliated hospitals. The first questionnaire requested details of the number of pediatric patients with MNKPL or MNKL had been diagnosed during the period 2000-2013. The second questionnaire requested more detailed information about clinical curses. Overall survival (OS) and event free survival (EFS) defined as relapse or death was analyzed. The protocol of this retrospective study was approved by the review boards of JSPHO and Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital.We also performed whole exome sequence (WES) using 7 children's samples (5 MNKPL, 2 MNKL) and target sequence using 2 adult's samples (2 MNKPL) from this and another independent cohort. The research protocol was approved by the review board of TMDU.Results: Thirteen children with MNKPL and 6 children with MNKL were identified. Median age of MNKPL was 8 year-old (range; 0.5-17) and median age of MNKL was 10 year-old (range; 2-13). There are 8 males and 5 females in MNKPL and 4 males and 2 females in MNKL. In MNKPL, central nervous system, mediastinum and lymph node involvement was observed in 1 case respectively. Nasal sinus involvement was observed in 1 case in MNKL. Eleven patients with MNKPL and 3 patients with MNKL were treated with acute myeloid leukemia style chemotherapy and 1 MNKPL patients and 3 MNKL patients were treated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia/non-Hodgkin lymphoma style chemotherapy. Complete remission after induction therapy was achieved in 8/13 MNKPL children and 4/6 MNKL children. Twelve out of 13 MNKPL children and all 6 MNKL children underwent hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) with myeloablative conditioning regimen. Median follow up period was 5.3 years in MNKPL and 3.8 years in MNKL patients. 5-year OS of MNKPL and MNKL was 67.3 % and 41.7 %, 5-year EFS of MNKPL and MNKL was 52.7 % and 41.7 % respectively.In genetic analysis, average 148 somatic mutations in MNKPL and 88 somatic mutations in MNKL were identified by WES. In combined analysis using adult cases, the recurrent mutations were observed in NOTCH1, NRAS (n=3, respectively), MAML2, MAP3K1, SIRPA (n=2, respectively) as activating signal genes, and CLTCL1 (n=2) as cell adhesion molecules, and RECQL4 (n=2) as cell cycle/DNA repair molecules, and PRDM2, CREBBP, SETBP1 (n=2, respectively) as epigenetic modifiers, and WT1, ZNF384, BCLAF1 (n=2, respectively) as transcription factors.Conclusions: Previously, it has been reported that outcome of MNKL is relatively good than MNKPL. MNKPL and MNKL children had a poor prognosis in our cohort even though most patients received HCT. We identified alteration of molecules involved in NOTCH signaling and RAS-MAPK pathways. In addition, mutations of several transcription factors such as WT1 were identified. The drugs targeting RAS pathway and epigenetic factors may have the potential to improve outcome. An international collaboration for clinical and cytogenetic research of MNKPL and MNKL is needed as they are complex and rare diseases. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

THE CASE VARIANT TRANSLOCATION T(3;9;22)(P24;Q34;Q11) IN CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKEMIA

This paper presents a case of chronic myeloid leukemia with an earlier unknown variant translocation t (3; 9; 22) (p24; q34; q11) detected by cytogenetic research using the GTG-banding technique. Despite the absence of the classical Philadelphia chromosome, the presence of chromosome 9 and 22 derivatives, as well as the BCR-ABL fusion gene, allow this translocation to be considered pathogenetic for CML. A good response of the patient to the treatment with glivec is that there is no adverse effect on the pathogenesis of the disease of an additional genetic locus (3p24) involved in complex restructuring.

An improved method for inducing prometaphase chromosomes in plants

BackgroundDetailed karyotyping using metaphase chromosomes in melon (Cucumis melo L.) remains a challenge because of their small chromosome sizes and poor stainability. Prometaphase chromosomes, which are two times longer and loosely condensed, provide a significantly better resolution for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) than metaphase chromosomes. However, suitable method for acquiring prometaphase chromosomes in melon have been poorly investigated.ResultsIn this study, a modified Carnoy’s solution II (MC II) [6:3:1 (v/v) ethanol: acetic acid: chloroform] was used as a pretreatment solution to obtain prometaphase chromosomes. We demonstrated that the prometaphase chromosomes obtained using the MC II method are excellent for karyotyping and FISH analysis. We also observed that a combination of MC II and the modified air dry (ADI) method provides a satisfactory meiotic pachytene chromosome preparation with reduced cytoplasmic background and clear chromatin spreads. Moreover, we demonstrated that pachytene and prometaphase chromosomes of melon and Abelia × grandiflora generate significantly better FISH images when prepared using the method described. We confirmed, for the first time, that Abelia × grandiflora has pairs of both strong and weak 45S ribosomal DNA signals on the short arms of their metaphase chromosomes.ConclusionThe MC II and ADI method are simple and effective for acquiring prometaphase and pachytene chromosomes with reduced cytoplasm background in plants. Our methods provide high-resolution FISH images that can help accelerate molecular cytogenetic research in plants.

Development and applications of fluorescence in situ hybridization using oligonucleotide-based probes

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has been the most important technique in plant cytogenetic research. However, application of FISH techniques in most plant species has been hindered by the lack of cloned probes that generate distinct signals on chromosomes. We have recently developed a procedure to develop FISH probes by selecting a large number of oligonucleotides (oligos) derived from single copy DNA sequences. The bioinformatically selected oligos are then massively synthesized de novo in parallel, amplified, and labeled as FISH probes. The “oligo-FISH probes” designed from conserved DNA sequences generate distinct FISH signals on related plant species that have diverged for more than 10 million years. We have conducted oligo-FISH in several distantly related species in the Solanaceae family. This comparative FISH mapping effort has revealed karyotype evolution and discovered species-specific chromosomal translocations in several Solanum species.

THE CYTOGENETIC AND PHYTOTOXIC ASSESSMENT OF THE ANTI-ICING MATERIAL ON ONION ASSAY (ALLIUM CEPA)

Allium cepa assay is one of the relevant methods for the cytogenetic analysis. Today modern anti-icing reagents seem to be unstudied in the field of cytogenetics studies. The aim of the experiment is to study the phytotoxic and cytogenetic activity of multi-component anti-icing material using an onion Allium cepa. We researched anti-icing concentrations in the range of from 1 to 100 g/l. The test object was onion «Stuttgarter risen» variety couched in anti-icing solutions during the 72 hours. According to the assessment of phytotoxic effects, there was estimated the number of roots, the length of the longest root and the length of all roots for the every onion plant. The parallel experiment included the phytotoxic research of the same anti-icing using wheat seeds according to method MR 2.1.7.2297-07. Every onion roots were cut away, fixed, painted and pressured for microscopic analysis for the purposes of the cytogenetic research. About 2000 cells were analyzed for each onion. We estimated the number of mitosis per 1000 cells (mitotic index, ‰) and the proportion of cells in each phase of mitosis by the total number of dividing cells (%). For the analysis of cytogenetic damage using micronucleus test that provided the estimation of micronucleus, protrusions, and binuclear cells. An ana-telophase analysis included the estimation of fragments bridges and lagging chromosomes. As a result of analysis of the roots growth, we founded acting concentrations (2; 4; 10 and 100 g/l) and in-acting ones (1.3 and 1). The experiment showed the similar susceptibility of the onion and wheat root response. The mitosis analysis showed that concentrations from 1 to 1.3 g/l increased a mitosis activity and concentration of 10 g/l provided the decline of mitosis. There were no cytogenetic defects in all studied concentrations.

M. S. Swaminathan:Legend in Science and Beyond

This biography of M. S. Swaminathan combines elements of a textbook based on his original contributions to cytogenetics of crops and their improvement using radiation and chemical mutagenesis, and his notable transition as a crusader of a hunger- free world. In the early chapters, it traces Swaminathan’s landing in Wageningen, the Netherlands in 1949 and the beginning of his tryst with cytogenetics of potato successively in Wageningen, Cambridge (England) and Wisconsin (USA). Potato was a tough and even unsuitable plant for in-depth cytogenetic research and improvement by breeding across the ploidal levels. The cultivated potato is a tetraploid (2n – 4x = 48), whereas species having the genes to shield against nematodes and frost are diploids (2n = 2x = 24).

Cytotypes ofSprekelia formosissima(Amaryllidaceae) collected in three localities of the state of Jalisco, Mexico

Sprekelia formosissima (L.) Herbert is a bulbous ornamental species of the Amaryllidaceae family, distributed from northern Mexico to Guatemala. Different reports on cytogenetic research on this species show differences in chromosome numbers (2n = 60, 120, 150, 180) with a basic number of x = 30. Since the chromosome number of plants can provide useful information for various fields of research including karyotaxonomy, genetics, and cytogenetics, it is important to determine the chromosome number for this species. Bulbs of S. formosissima were collected in three different locations in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Meristematic root cells were analyzed cytogenetically using a modified steam-drop method. The three populations showed different chromosome numbers and ploidy levels, 2n = 2x = 60, 2n = 4x = 120, and 2n = 5x = 150. The ploidy level was compared with morphological traits showing higher values related to higher ploidy levels. The populations analyzed correspond to new polyploid cytotypes of S. formosissima.

Integrated Karyotyping of Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) with Oligopaint FISH Probes

Chromosome identification is critical for many aspects of cytogenetic research. However, for Fragaria vesca, definite identification of individual chromosomes is almost impossible because of their small size and high similarity. Here, we demonstrate that bulked oligonucleotide (oligo) probes can be used as chromosome-specific DNA markers for chromosome identification in F. vesca. Oligos specific to entire pseudochromosomes in the draft genome of F. vesca were identified and synthesized as libraries. In all, we synthesized 6 oligo libraries corresponding to 6 pseudochromosomes of F. vesca. These libraries were amplified and labeled as probes for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Two rounds of multicolor FISH analysis were sequentially conducted on the same metaphase cells with each round including 3 probe libraries, which permitted simultaneous identification of all chromosomes of F. vesca. Moreover, 45S and 5S rDNA were mapped to chromosomes 1, 2, and 7, respectively. A karyotype of metaphase chromosomes was constructed, representing the first FISH-based molecular cytogenetic karyotype of F. vesca. Our study can serve as a basis for future comparative cytogenetic research through cross-species chromosome painting using bulked oligo probes and will facilitate the application of breeding technologies that rely on the identification of chromosomes in the genus Fragaria.

Do holocentric chromosomes represent an evolutionary advantage? A study of paired analyses of diversification rates of lineages with holocentric chromosomes and their monocentric closest relatives.

Despite most of the cytogenetic research is focused on monocentric chromosomes, chromosomes with kinetochoric activity localized in a single centromere, several studies have been centered on holocentric chromosomes which have diffuse kinetochoric activity along the chromosomes. The eukaryotic organisms that present this type of chromosomes have been relatively understudied despite they constitute rather diversified species lineages. On the one hand, holocentric chromosomes may present intrinsic benefits (chromosome mutations such as fissions and fusions are potentially neutral in holocentrics). On the other hand, they present restrictions to the spatial separation of the functions of recombination and segregation during meiotic divisions (functions that may interfere), separation that is found in monocentric chromosomes. In this study, we compare the diversification rates of all known holocentric lineages in animals and plants with their most related monocentric lineages in order to elucidate whether holocentric chromosomes constitute an evolutionary advantage in terms of diversification and species richness. The results showed that null hypothesis of equal mean diversification rates cannot be rejected, leading us to surmise that shifts in diversification rates between holocentric and monocentric lineages might be due to other factors, such as the idiosyncrasy of each lineage or the interplay of evolutionary selections with the benefits of having either monocentric or holocentric chromosomes.

Microdissection of the Ah01 chromosome in upland cotton and microcloning of resistance gene anologs from the single chromosome

BackgroundChromosome microdissection is one of the most important techniques in molecular cytogenetic research. Cotton (Gossypium Linnaeus, 1753) is the main natural fiber crop in the world. The resistance gene analog (RGA) cloning after its single chromosome microdissection can greatly promote cotton genome research and breeding.ResultsUsing the linker adaptor PCR (LA-PCR) with the primers of rice disease-resistance homologues, three nucleotide sequences PS016 (KU051681), PS054 (KU051682), and PS157 (KU051680) were obtained from the chromosome Ah01 of upland cotton (cv. TM-1). The Blast results showed that the three sequences are the nucleotide binding site-leucine rich repeat (NBS-LRR) type RGAs. Clustering results indicated that they are homologous to these published RGAs. Thus, the three RGAs can definitely be confirmed as NBS-LRR class of RGAs in upland cotton.ConclusionsUsing single chromosome microdissection technique, DNA libraries containing cotton RGAs were obtained. This technique can promote cotton gene cloning, marker development and even the improvement of cotton genome research and breeding.

Telomeric localization of the Arabidopsis-type heptamer repeat, (TTTAGGG)n , at the chromosome ends in Saccharina japonica (Phaeophyta).

Telomeres generally consist of short repeats of minisatellite DNA sequences and are useful in chromosome identification and karyotype analysis. To date, telomeres have not been characterized in the economically important brown seaweed Saccharina japonica, thus its full cytogenetic research and genetic breeding potential has not been realized. Herein, the tentative sequence of telomeres in S.japonica was identified by PCR amplification with primers designed based on the Arabidopsis-type telomere sequence (TTTAGGG)n , which was chosen out of three possible telomeric repeat DNA sequences typically present in plants and algae. After PCR optimization and cloning, sequence analysis of the amplified products from S.japonica genomic DNA showed that they were composed of repeat units, (TTTAGGG)n , in which the repeat number ranged from 15 to 63 (n=46). This type of repeat sequence was verified by a Southern blot assay with the Arabidopsis-type telomere sequence as a probe. The digestion of S.japonica genomic DNA with the exonuclease Bal31 illustrated that the target sequence corresponding to the Arabidopsis-type telomere sequence was susceptible to Bal31 digestion, suggesting that the repeat sequence was likely located at the outermost ends of the kelp chromosomes. Fluorescence insitu hybridizations with the aforementioned probe provided the initial cytogenetic evidence that the hybridization signals were principally localized at both ends of S.japonica chromosomes. This study indicates that the telomeric repeat of the kelp chromosomes is (TTTAGGG)n which differs from the previously reported (TTAGGG)n sequence in Ectocarpus siliculosus through genome sequencing, thereby suggesting distinct telomeres in brown seaweeds.

Comparative analysis the frequency and spectrum of chromosome aberrations in irradiated in vitro peripheral blood lymphocytes of the elderly and centenarians from Kyiv

To establish and compare the frequency and spectrum of chromosome aberrations under X radiation exposure in vitro in dose 0.25 Gy peripheral blood lymphocytes of the elderly and centenarians. Material of cytogenetic research were peripheral blood lymphocytes from 11 elderly and 10 centenarians, which were irradiated in vitro in dose 0.25 Gy and cultured by generally accepted semi micromethod; slides of metaphase chromosomes were GTG stained and analyzed under the microscope with magnification x 1000. Under irradiation of blood in vitro the mean group frequencies of chromosome aberrations exceeded such without irradiation (р < 0.001) and were 11.60 ± 0.95 аnd 6.82 ± 0.63 per 100 cells in the elderly and the centenar ians, accordingly. Radiation induced increase in the frequency of chromosomal injuries occurred due to chromo some type aberrations which are markers of radiation exposure. In the elderly the elevated frequency of chromatid type aberrations also was registered what is considered a sign of chromosome instability. The results indicate increased sensitivity the blood lymphocytes from the elderly to radiation expo sure in low doses and allow to assume the advantage of persons with hereditary determined chromosomal stability in achieving longevity.

Cytogenetic and Molecular Genetic Prognostic Factors of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemias

This review presents characteristic and reproducible chromosome rearrangements in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which can be detected with a standard cytogenetic research (G-bands staining) or by FISH. More subtle genetic changes, inaccessible to the observation of cytogeneticists, are detected with the help of modern methods of molecular biological diagnosis. The prognostic value of cytogenetic and molecular genetic markers of ALL is shown in this article. A minimal set of clinically relevant molecular markers is presented, which it is advisable to investigate with ALL.

Genome size distribution in phylum Cnidaria

Cnidarians are considered ancestral metazoans and, therefore, are important taxa for studying animal evolution. However, little is known about the group’s genome size (C value), which is an important parameter in whole-genome sequencing. To address this issue, we measured the C values of 27 cnidarian species from Japan, using flow cytometry, and found that they ranged from 0.26 to 3.56 pg. Excluding the results for Agalma elegans and Physalia physalis (order Siphonophorae), which had the highest C values among the species included in the present study, the C values for the cnidarians were 0.26–1.49 pg. In particular, we found that hydrozoans possessed relatively large and wide-ranging C values, indicating that evolution within the group involved considerable gains or losses of genomic content. Overall, the C values reported in the present study could be valuable for whole-genome sequencing, using next-generation sequencers, and for future research in cytogenetics.