Irradiated Chromosomes Research Articles

Induction of Gynogenetic and Androgenetic Haploid and Doubled Haploid Development in the Brown Trout (Salmo trutta Linnaeus 1758)

Gynogenetic and androgenetic brown trout (Salmo trutta Linnaeus 1758) haploids (Hs) and doubled haploids (DHs) were produced in the present research. Haploid development was induced by radiation-induced genetic inactivation of spermatozoa (gynogenesis) or eggs (androgenesis) before insemination. To provide DHs, gynogenetic and androgenetic haploid zygotes were subjected to the high pressure shock to suppress the first mitotic cleavage. Among haploids, gynogenetic embryos were showing lower mortality when compared to the androgenetic embryos; however, most of them die before the first feeding stage. Gynogenetic doubled haploids provided in the course of the brown trout eggs activation performed by homologous and heterologous sperm (rainbow trout) were developing equally showing hatching rates of 14.76 ± 2.4% and 16.14 ± 2.90% and the survival rates at the first feeding stage of 10.48 ± 3.48% and 12.78 ± 2.18%, respectively. Significantly, lower survival rate was observed among androgenetic progenies from the diploid groups with only few specimens that survived to the first feeding stage. Cytogenetic survey showed that among embryos from the diploid variants of the research, only gynogenetic individuals possessed doubled sets of chromosomes. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that radiation employed for the genetic inactivation of the brown trout eggs misaligned mechanism responsible for the cell divisions and might have delayed or even arrested the first mitotic cleavage in the androgenetic brown trout zygotes. Moreover, protocol for the radiation-induced inactivation of the paternal and maternal genome should be adjusted as some of the cytogenetically surveyed gynogenetic and androgenetic embryos exhibited fragments of the irradiated chromosomes.

Telomeres in Fishes

In fishes, as in other vertebrate species, the DNA component of the telomeres consists of the tandemly repeated TTAGGG motif. The length of the telomeric arrays in fishes ranges from 2 to 25 kb and shortens with age in some of the species. To date, chromosomal distribution of the telomeric DNA sequences has been examined in approximately 80 fish species of which about 42% show additional telomeric hybridization signals far from the chromosomal termini. Based on the chromosomal location, such internally located telomeric repeats may be classified into 4 categories: (1) telomeric DNA sequences located at the pericentromeric regions, (2) interstitial telomeric sites observed between centromeres and the bona fide telomeres, (3) telomeric DNA sequences that scatter along the nucleolus organizer regions, and (4) telomeric DNA repeats interspersed with the entire chromosomes. Most of the pericentromeric and interstitial telomeric sequences in fish are possible relicts of chromosome fusion events. The origin of the telomeric sequences co- localizing with the major rDNA sequences or scattered along the whole chromosomes is not clear. Internally located telomeric repeats are considered as ‘hot spots' for recombination and thus may potentially increase the rates of chromosome breaks and rearrangements leading to the various chromosomal polymorphisms in fishes. FISH with telomeric probe applied to metaphase spreads of androgenetic specimens that hatched from eggs exposed to ionizing radiation before insemination enabled the detection of small radiation-induced fragments of maternal chromosomes. Remnants of the irradiated chromosomes were found to be ring chromosomes with the interstitial telomeric signals, telomerless rings, fragments with fused sister chromatids, and linear fragments with telomeres detected at both of their ends. The increasing availability of techniques enabling the study of fish telomeres and telomerase and the easy access to numerous fish species strongly confirm that these animals are promising models in research concerning the role of telomeres and telomerase in vertebrate aging, repair of ionizing radiation-induced DNA double strand breaks, and chromosomal rearrangements.

Distribution of Telomeric DNA Sequences on the X-Radiation-Induced Chromosome Fragments Observed in the Genome of Androgenetic Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis, Mitchill 1814)

Cytogenetic screening of the androgenetic brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis, Mitchill 1814) offspring hatched from eggs exposed to 420 Gy of X-radiation before insemination exhibited residues of the irradiated maternal nuclear genome in the form of small chromosome fragments. Remnants of the irradiated chromosomes had different sizes, and their number varied intraindividually from 1 to 15. To efficiently pass through the series of the cell divisions, such chromosome fragments must have had functional kinetochores. Distribution patterns of the telomeric hybridization signals on the chromosome fragments enabled us to distinguish their 3 groups: (i) telomere-less ring chromosomes with fused broken chromosome arms, (ii) rings formed in the course of fusion of the radiation-broken chromosome arm with the opposite telomeric region and exhibiting interstitial telomeric signals at the fusion point, and (iii) chromosome fragments with fused unprotected sister chromatids of 1 broken arm and intact telomeres from the other arm. Disturbances during segregation of such fragments, mainly breakages during anaphase, may partially explain intraindividual variation in the number and size of the chromosome fragments observed in the androgenetic brook trout.

Comportamento mitótico e meiótico de cromossomos holocêntricos &gama; irradiados de Rhynchospora pubera (Cyperaceae)

In order to evaluate the occurrence of diffuse kinetochores in Rhynchospora (Cyperaceae), chromosomes of R. pubera were fragmented or fused by g irradiation. This material was investigated in subsequent cell generations, in both mitosis and meiosis. Alterations in number and size of chromosomes were detected, but the anaphase behavior of irradiated chromosomes was normal and no micronucleus was observed. All these data point to the presence of diffuse kinetochores in R. pubera .

Transmission of Genomic Instability from a Single Irradiated Human Chromosome to the Progeny of Unirradiated Cells

Ionizing radiation can induce chromosome instability that is transmitted over many generations after irradiation in the progeny of surviving cells, but it remains unclear why this instability can be transmitted to the progeny. To acquire knowledge about the transmissible nature of genomic instability, we transferred an irradiated human chromosome into unirradiated mouse recipient cells by microcell fusion and examined the stability of the transferred human chromosome in the microcell hybrids. The transferred chromosome was stable in all six microcell hybrids in which an unirradiated human chromosome had been introduced. In contrast, the transferred chromosome was unstable in four out of five microcell hybrids in which an irradiated human chromosome had been introduced. The aberrations included changes in the irradiated chromosome itself and rearrangements with recipient mouse chromosomes. Thus the present study demonstrates that genomic instability can be transmitted to the progeny of unirradiated cells by a chromosome exposed to ionizing radiation, implying that the instability is caused by the irradiated chromosome itself and also that the instability is induced by the nontargeted effect of radiation.

Radiation-induced genomic instability triggered by telomere dysfunction

To examine the possibility that an irradiated chromosome has the potential to promote genome rearrangement, we investigated the stability of irradiated human chromosomes in unirradiated mouse cells using a chromosome transfer technique. The stability of the irradiated human chromosome was analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using a probe specific for the human chromosome. The chromosome analysis revealed that the irradiated human chromosome was rearranged after chromosome transfer in two out of four microcell hybrids examined. This result suggests that the irradiated chromosome per se is unstable, even under the unirradiated environment. To determine the trigger for the delayed chromosome instability by radiation, we analyzed chromosome aberrations by telomere FISH technique, and found that the irradiated chromosome showed frequent end-to-end fusions with positive telomere signals at a fusion point. This suggested that telomeres do not function in preventing fusions, in spite of the presence of telomere sequences. These results indicate that radiation promotes telomere dysfunction and that this dysfunction accelerates genomic instability. Thus, we propose that an irradiated chromosome has an elevated potential to rearrange the chromosome in cis- and also in trans-action, and that this chromosomal instability can be triggered by telomere dysfunction.

Unstable nature of the X-irradiated human chromosome in unirradiated mouse m5S cells

To find out the mechanism of induction for delayed chromosome aberrations, mouse A9 cells containing a human chromosome 11 were irradiated with 6 or 15 Gy of X-rays, and then the human chromosome was transferred into unirradiated mouse m5S cells using a microcell-mediated chromosome transfer. Chromosome aberrations were analyzed by whole chromosome painting using a probe specific for human chromosome 11. In a microcell hybrid transferred with 15 Gy-irradiated chromosomes 11, all chromosomes 11 were fragmented and 45% of the chromosomes 11 were rearranged after chromosome transfer. Similarly, in a microcell hybrid transferred with 6 Gy-irradiated chromosome 11, 25% and 46% of the chromosomes 11 were rearranged to form rings and telomeric fusion chromosomes, respectively. These results suggest that the irradiated chromosome per se is of an unstable nature, and that telonomic instability induced by radiation is possibly involved in the induction of delayed chromosome aberrations.

Recovery of a marked translocation strain that will facilitate the isolation of balancer chromosomes in the Mediterranean fruit fly,Ceratitis capitata

The results of two screens for mutations and chromosomal aberrations in Ceratitis capitata are presented. Three dominant mutations were recovered, including Sb, which is associated with a homozygous lethal translocation between the third and fifth chromosomes, T(3;5)Sb, with the fifth chromosome breakpoint adjacent to y. The T(3;5)Sb chromosome is maintained by selecting for Sb in a T(3;5)Sb, w2 Sb y2 wp/w2 y2 wp stock and can be used to distinguish between other chromosomes carrying differential combinations of the recessive markers w2 y2 wp. The ability to isolate particular marked chromosomes is essential in order to recover an inversion-based balancer chromosome. In addition to the recovery of dominant mutations, gamma-ray induced somatic mosaics of w2 and y2 and zygotic w mosaics were found. The generation of zygotic mosaics following mutagenesis can give mutants with a mosaic germ line that fail to breed true in the first generation. A screen of 22,830 irradiated chromosomes failed to recover variegating alleles of w, although such alleles might be recovered in a larger screen. The high frequency of dominant mutations and the instability at the w locus in our stocks implies a background level of dysgenic activity. These results have implications for the construction and long-term maintenance of genetically modified strains.

ASSESSMENT OF THE GENETIC TOXICITY OF LOW INTENSITY 248 nm AND 308 nm EXCIMER LASER IRRADIATION

The potential genetic toxicity of ultraviolet (UV) laser energy was examined using excimer lasers at wavelengths of 248 nm (UVC, krypton fluoride laser) and 308 nm (UVB, xenon chloride laser) with an incident energy per pulse of 1 mJ per unit area of 25 cm2 (0.04 J/cm2). Dosage was controlled by the number of pulses delivered. The Ames screening test for potential carcinogenesis was applied to the specimens irradiated with both wavelengths, in addition to any induced chromosome aberrations in peripheral human lymphocytes. The Ames test and examination of irradiated chromosomes indicated that the 248 nm beam was capable of attacking DNA and had carcinogenic potential with genetic toxicity. The 308 nm beam on the other hand appeared to have no adverse effects on DNA and had no genetic toxicity potential at the parameters of the present study. It can therefore be concluded that cells have high wavelength specificity as far as the action potential of incident UV energy is concerned, which will have obvious implications on choice of laser wavelengths in the UV waveband.

Mapping of metastasis suppressor gene(s) for rat prostate cancer on the short arm of human chromosome 8 by irradiated microcell-mediated chromosome transfer.

Our previous studies demonstrated that human chromosome 8 contains metastasis suppressor gene(s) for rat prostate cancer. However, it is still unknown which portion of human chromosome 8 is associated with suppression of metastatic ability, because all of the clones in which metastatic ability is suppressed contain at least one copy of intact human chromosome 8. In the present study, we used the irradiated microcell-mediated chromosome transfer technique to enrich for specific chromosomal arm deletions of selected chromosomes. The resultant series of human chromosomes 8 with a variety of chromosomal deletions was introduced into highly metastatic Dunning rat prostate cancer cells. All of the resultant microcell hybrids showed reduced metastatic ability. To obtain a smaller size of human chromosome 8 and to locate further the region of metastasis suppressor gene(s), the most reduced size of human chromosome 8 that was generated with the initial irradiated chromosome transfer was retransferred into the Dunning cancer cells without irradiation. The resultant microcell hybrids were analyzed to determine which portion of human chromosome 8 suppressed the metastatic ability of the recipient cells. This analysis demonstrates that the portion of human chromosome 8 containing metastasis suppressor gene(s) for rat prostate cancer cells lies on human chromosome segment 8p21-p12, where frequent allelic losses have been detected in allelotype analyses of human prostate cancer. This suggests that one of the metastasis suppressor genes for rat prostate cancer on human chromosome 8 may also play an important role in the progression of human prostate cancer.

Analysis of laser effects on chromosomal structure by fluorescence in situ hybridization and image cytometry: Methodological approach for precise microdissection

Laser effects on human chromosomes have been studied with an image cytometer using an argon ion laser emitted beam at 488 nm, with a 50 mW power. The smallest laser spot was of 0.2Μm. Aiming of the laser beam was controlled by a computer. Irradiated and non-irradiated chromosomal fragments were analysed by measuring the fluorescence intensity of propidium iodide and by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with fluorescein biotinylated Alu polymerase chain reaction products. No propidium iodide staining or FISH could be observed on irradiated chromosome fragments indicating total elimination of DNA by the laser beam. The non-irradiated fragments of chromosome showed Alu hybridization similar to control metaphase spreads, suggesting that the DNA structure remained intact. This methodological approach could be used to carry out precise and rapid microdissection of chromosomes.

The checkpoint delaying anaphase in response to chromosome monoorientation is mediated by an inhibitory signal produced by unattached kinetochores.

During mitosis in Ptk1 cells anaphase is not initiated until, on average, 23 +/- 1 min after the last monooriented chromosome acquires a bipolar attachment to the spindle--an event that may require 3 h (Rieder, C. L., A. Schultz, R. W. Cole, and G. Sluder. 1994. J. Cell Biol. 127:1301-1310). To determine the nature of this cell-cycle checkpoint signal, and its site of production, we followed PtK1 cells by video microscopy prior to and after destroying specific chromosomal regions by laser irradiation. The checkpoint was relieved, and cells entered anaphase, 17 +/- 1 min after the centromere (and both of its associated sister kinetochores) was destroyed on the last monooriented chromosome. Thus, the checkpoint mechanism monitors an inhibitor of anaphase produced in the centromere of monooriented chromosomes. Next, in the presence of one monooriented chromosome, we destroyed one kinetochore on a bioriented chromosome to create a second monooriented chromosome lacking an unattached kinetochore. Under this condition anaphase began in the presence of the experimentally created monooriented chromosome 24 +/- 1.5 min after the nonirradiated monooriented chromosome bioriented. This result reveals that the checkpoint signal is not generated by the attached kinetochore of a monooriented chromosome or throughout the centromere volume. Finally, we selectively destroyed the unattached kinetochore on the last monooriented chromosome. Under this condition cells entered anaphase 20 +/- 2.5 min after the operation, without congressing the irradiated chromosome. Correlative light microscopy/elctron microscopy of these cells in anaphase confirmed the absence of a kinetochore on the unattached chromatid. Together, our data reveal that molecules in or near the unattached kinetochore of a monooriented PtK1 chromosome inhibit the metaphase-anaphase transition.

Fish “painting” patterns resulting from complex exchanges

Many of the unusual patterns seen when irradiated chromosomes are FISH painted arise from Complex interchanges. In this paper, we present a method for classifying chromosome-type complex exchanges. Every possible exchange configuration for the first nine complex families has been determined, and for each of these, the expected metaphase pattern forms seen if any one of the participating chromosomes is painted, has been worked out. A total of 65 recognisably different pattern forms emerge, and a simple classification of these is provided for scoring and discussion purposes. 47 of these patterns are unique (“Tell-tale”), in that they are found in, and are diagnostic for, only one complex family or sub-family (of the sub-set analyzed). Analysis of the contigency tables indicates that: 1. (a) The same individual complex exchange can appear in different pattern forms, depending upon which of the participating chromosomes is painted, and the converse-different forms can represent the same exchange. 2. (b) Many different complex exchange configurations, from differentia families, can give rise to identical pattern forms. 3. (c) If obvious complex forms are not all frequent in a sample, then a lot of the exchanges being scored as “simple” are not. These observations will have considerable repercussions on the numerical assessment of damage when using painted chromosomes at higher radiation doses.

Rearrangements between irradiated chromosomes in three-species radiation hybrid cell lines revealed by two-color in situ hybridization.

A human-hamster hybrid cell line containing only the human X chromosome (GM06318B) was exposed to 6,000-7,000 rad of X-rays and fused with a mouse cell line (CL1D,TK-). Three radiation hybrids, LXKC40, LXKC50, and LXKC56, were selected among 39 independent clones containing human material. Two-color in situ hybridization with total genomic DNA probes (cot1 human DNA and hamster total genomic DNA) was used to analyse the irradiated chromosome rearrangements. With this three-species model system (human-hamster-mouse) and the chromosome painting process it was possible to determine the origin of each chromosomal fragment in metaphase and interphase. The results obtained indicate preferential rearrangement between irradiated human and hamster chromosomes. Whole, apparently intact hamster chromosomes were observed in all the mitoses. We suggest that these chromosomes could be neoformated from random fragments after irradiation. Hamster and human "minichromosomes" were also detected. While the integration of human material into the mouse genome was exceptional, the integration of hamster material into mouse chromosomes was more frequent. During interphase the irradiated chromosome domains were often at the periphery of the nucleus. Irradiated material protruded at the periphery of the nuclei. Micronuclei containing hamster material were detected in the vicinity of these protrusions.

Cell-free repair of UV-damaged simian virus 40 chromosomes in human cell extracts. I. Development of a cell-free system detecting excision repair of UV-irradiated SV40 chromosomes.

Simian virus 40 minichromosomes were irradiated with ultraviolet light and used to study cell-free DNA repair reactions by soluble extracts of repair-proficient human cells. Damage-specific incorporation of labeled nucleotides was measured after linearization and electrophoresis of the viral DNA. Repair synthesis with irradiated chromosomes was dependent on the dose of ultraviolet light, but naked viral DNA irradiated at the same doses showed significantly higher template activity. The reactions absolutely required the presence of cell extract, but an extract from Chinese hamster cells was as active as those from human cells. The repair activity was apparently stimulated by the addition of unirradiated plasmid DNA, which did not affect the nucleosome density of the viral chromosomes. ATP and its regenerating system were required for the reaction, but total repair synthesis was little affected by exogenous addition of substrates for RNA synthesis and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation. Most of the repaired viral chromosomal DNA was in the supercoiled, closed circular form, suggesting that excision repair reactions proceeded to the stage of ligation in the present cell-free system.

Replication of damaged DNA and the molecular mechanism of ultraviolet light mutagenesis.

On UV irradiation of Escherichia coli cells, DNA replication is transiently arrested to allow removal of DNA damage by DNA repair mechanisms. This is followed by a resumption of DNA replication, a major recovery function whose mechanism is poorly understood. During the post-UV irradiation period the SOS stress response is induced, giving rise to a multiplicity of phenomena, including UV mutagenesis. The prevailing model is that UV mutagenesis occurs by the filling in of single-stranded DNA gaps present opposite UV lesions in the irradiated chromosome. These gaps can be formed by the activity of DNA replication or repair on the damaged DNA. The gap filling involves polymerization through UV lesions (also termed bypass synthesis or error-prone repair) by DNA polymerase III. The primary source of mutations is the incorporation of incorrect nucleotides opposite lesions. UV mutagenesis is a genetically regulated process, and it requires the SOS-inducible proteins RecA, UmuD, and UmuC. It may represent a minor repair pathway or a genetic program to accelerate evolution of cells under environmental stress conditions.

Homozygous-viable pericentric inversions for genetic control of Lucilia Cuprina

The isolation of homozygous-viable pericentric inversions for inclusion in field-female killing (FK) systems in Lucilia cuprina is described. From 7,236 irradiated chromosomes screened, 16 pericentric inversions were isolated. Four of these were viable as homozygotes. One of these, In (3LR) 14, possesses the properties required for inclusion in FK systems (tight linkage of one inversion break-point to the white-eye gene and substantial genetic exchange within the inversion in heterozygous females).

Pollen irradiation and possible gene transfer in Nicotiana species

Progeny from crosses of Nicotiana langsdorffii with gamma irradiated pollen of Nicotiana alata 'Crimson Bedder' showed skewed segregation in the F2 favoring the maternal parent. This is probably not gene transfer in a strict sense, rather just an extreme case of reduced transmission of irradiated chromosomes, leading to massive overrepresentation of maternal genes. Gene transfer or mutational loss may explain some anomalous F1 plants. Segregation in the F2 progeny showed the presence of several genes from the irradiated pollen. Crosses of Nicotiana sylvestris, N. plumbaginifolia N. paniculata, and Petunia parodii with irradiated pollen from N. alata and Petunia hybrida showed no evidence of gene transfer, nor did experiments with irradiated mentor pollen. This indicates that gene transfer with irradiated pollen between non-crossing species or between species giving sterile hybrids is probably a rare phenomenon.

Chromosome behavior after laser microirradiation of a single kinetochore in mitotic PtK2 cells.

The role of the kinetochore in chromosome movement was studied by 532-nm wavelength laser microirradiation of mitotic PtK2 cells. When the kinetochore of a single chromatid is irradiated at mitotic prometaphase or metaphase, the whole chromosome moves towards the pole to which the unirradiated kinetochore is oriented, while the remaining chromosomes congregate on the metaphase plate. The chromatids of the irradiated chromosome remain attached to one another until anaphase, at which time they separate by a distance of 1 or 2 micrometers and remain parallel to each other, not undergoing any poleward separation. Electron microscopy shows that irradiated chromatids exhibit either no recognizable kinetochore structure or a typical inactive kinetochore in which the tri-layer structure is present but has no microtubules associated with it. Graphical analysis of the movement of the irradiated chromosome shows that the chromosome moves to the pole rapidly with a velocity of approximately 3 micrometers/min. If the chromosome is close to one pole at irradiation, and the kinetochore oriented towards that pole is irradiated, the chromosome moves across the spindle to the opposite pole. The chromosome is slowed down as it traverses the equatorial region, but the velocity in both half-spindles is approximately the same as the anaphase velocity of a single chromatid. Thus a single kinetochore moves twice the normal mass of chromatin (two chromatids) at the same velocity with which it moves a single chromatid, showing that the velocity with which a kinetochore moves is independent, within limits, of the mass associated with it.

Genetic evidence for inducibility of recombination competence in yeast.

Recombination between unirradiated chromosomes was induced by UV or x-ray irradiation of haploids followed by a mating with heteroallelic diploids of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The selected event of intragenic recombination did not involve the participation of the irradiated chromosome and apparently was not caused by lesions introduced into the unirradiated chromosomes by some indirect process. The results favor the idea that recombination is repressed in the majority of vegetative cells and that one effect of radiation is the release of some factor(s) necessary for recombination. Consequently, the proportion of competent cells (i.e., cells able to recombine) in the population increases. This competent state seems necessary not only for the recombinational repair of radiation-induced lesions but also, since recombinants are produced in the absence of such lesions, for spontaneous recombination. Photoreactivation of the UV-irradiated haploids led to a decrease in the production of recombinants. Hence, lesions in the DNA appear to be responsible for the induction of the recombinational ability.