To better understand the evolutionary dynamics of chromosomal inversions, a physical map for an Asian malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi, was created and compared with the maps of the major African malaria vectors A. gambiae and A. funestus No interchromosomal transposition was observed between A. gambiae and A. stephensi. Several cases of euchromatin and heterochromatin transitions weridentified between A. gambiae and A. stephensi. The study of paracentric inversions between lineages in Anopheles mosquitoes demonstrated that X chromosome has the fastest rate of inversion fixations and highest density of repetitive elements. Among the autosomes, 2R evolved faster than other autosomes. The slowly evolved autosomes have more M/SARs than rapidly evolving arms. Breakpoint regions are enriched with repetitive elements. The study revealed that fixed inversions are distributed nonrandomly and breakpoint clustering is common in lineages of A. gambiae and A. stephensi. The parallel association between the density of inversion fixations and polymorphisms suggests that polymorphic inversions can be fixed during evolution. To understand the direction of evolution in A. gambiae complex, the ancestral status of fixed inversions for this complex was identified. The presence of the 2La inversion in outgroups, A. stephensi and A. nili, confirmed the ancestral status of the 2La inversion. The presences of breakpoint structure of the 2Ro inversion in outgroup species, A. stephensi, indicated that the 2Ro is ancestral arrangement. The presence of SINE elements at the breakpoints of the 2R+p in A. gambiae PEST strain suggested that the 2R+p is a derived arrangement. Therefore, the carrier of 2Rop inversions, A. merus, was considered closest to the ancestral species. We have developed a new protocol for laser microdissection and whole genome amplification of polytene chromosomal fragments to obtain DNA for sequencing and assembly. The chromosomal regions spanning both breakpoints of the 2La in A. arabiensis and A. merus were laser microdissected from the polytene chromosomes. Subsequently, DNA samples were amplified using Illustra GenomePhi V2 DNA and Whole-pool amplification methods for obtaining amplicons. Successful amplification of our target DNA was confirmed by PCR with specific primers followed by Sanger sequencing. / Ph. D.

Natural environments expose organisms to multifarious selective pressures involving numerous aspects of the overall phenotype, therefore eliciting a response from multiple correlated loci. It has been hypothesized that chromosomal rearrangements can play a role in facilitating local adaptation by establishing new linkage relationships and modifying the recombination patterns between the different chromosomal forms, allowing coordinated adaptation of several loci. The central aim of the work presented here is to test this hypothesis using Drosophila americana as a model system. This species segregates several inversions and an X-4 centromeric fusion which makes it an excellent model to study the role of chromosomal rearrangements on local adaptation. This hypothesis was tested using several approaches. The geographic distribution of the chromosomal rearrangements was determined through sampling of wild populations from a broad geographic range. It was found that several of the chromosomal rearrangements exhibit clinal variation. Furthermore, many of these are found in high linkage disequilibrium. The X-4 fusion is highly associated with inversions on the X and 4th chromosome. Also, two inversions on chromosome 5 are in strong negative linkage disequilibrium. The sequence variation associated with rearrangements of the X was studied using inbred lines. The results show that the inversion and the fusion strongly influence variation on this chromosome. Regions of significant population differentiation and linkage with the rearrangements are found interspersed with loci showing neutral variation indicating that in spite of recombination, allelic associations are maintained on this chromosome. The analysis was also extended to flies directly collected from the wild sampled from a region encompassing a large part of the species' range. Loci throughout chromosome X and 4 were genotyped. Sites in high linkage disequilibrium with the rearrangements and with other assayed sites were found in close proximity with sites that did not show this pattern. In conclusion, the clinal distribution of chromosomal rearrangements and associated genetic variation in conjunction with the detection of islands of linkage disequilibrium among the rearrangements and loci on both chromosomes indicate that chromosomal rearrangements are facilitating local adaptation in D. americana.

Submitted by FLAVIA MARCORIN DE OLIVEIRA null (flaviamarcorindeoliveira@gmail.com) on 2016-06-30T18:11:11Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Flávia Marcorin versão final.pdf: 2914788 bytes, checksum: da4eb36add8e9d52d25649b86df175e1 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-07-04T18:08:05Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 oliveira_fm_me_rcla.pdf: 2914788 bytes, checksum: da4eb36add8e9d52d25649b86df175e1 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-04T18:08:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 oliveira_fm_me_rcla.pdf: 2914788 bytes, checksum: da4eb36add8e9d52d25649b86df175e1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-16 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A família Loricariidae é uma das mais diversificadas da ordem Siluriformes, com espécies distribuídas entre sete subfamílias: Hypoptopomatinae, Loricariinae, Hypostominae, Neoplecostominae, Lithogeninae, Delturinae e Ancistrinae. As espécies do gênero Ancistrus Kner, 1854, pertencem à subfamília Ancistrinae, têm mostrado grande variação cariotípica, além de características interessantes do ponto de vista citogenético como a presença de cromossomos sexuais e polimorfismos cromossômicos. Desta forma o objetivo do presente trabalho foi caracterizar os cromossomos de quatro espécies do gênero Ancistrus (Ancistrus sp. 1 “cupim”, Ancistrus sp. 2 “cupim”, Ancistrus sp. “mutuca” e Ancistrus sp. “soberbo”) pertencentes à bacia do Paraguai utilizando técnicas de citogenética clássica e molecular para melhor compreensão da evolução cariotípica dessas espécies. As espécies estudadas apresentaram número diploide variando de 2n=42 a 2n=54, NOR localizadas em regiões pericentroméricas e terminais, além de heteromorfismo de tamanho dessas regiões (NOR) em um dos homólogos nas quatro espécies estudadas. O bandamento C mostrou presença de pouca heterocromatina com exceção das espécies Ancistrus sp. 2 “cupim” e Ancistrus sp. “soberbo” que apresentaram dois blocos grandes de heterocromatina em um par de cromossomos, tanto nos machos quanto nas fêmeas. Um exemplar fêmea da espécie Ancistrus sp. 1 “cupim” também apresentou um bloco grande de heterocromatina em um dos homólogos do par 7, sendo esses resultados indicativos de provável relação entre esses blocos de heterocromatina e a diferenciação de cromossomos sexuais. Os resultados obtidos pela técnica de FISH utilizando sondas de DNAr 18S e 5S mostraram que o DNAr 18S está localizado na mesma região da NOR, o DNAr 5S está distribuído em quatro e cinco pares cromossômicos e o double FISH não mostrou co-localização desses genes. No entanto as espécies Ancistrus sp. 2 “cupim” e Ancistrus sp. “soberbo” mostraram variação nos resultados com marcações de DNAr em blocos de heterocromatina. O uso de sonda telomérica mostrou marcações nos telômeros dos cromossomos das quatro espécies estudadas e marcação pericentromérica em um par de cromossomos da espécie Ancistrus sp. 2 “cupim”. Nossos resultados evidenciam possíveis rearranjos cromossômicos do tipo fusão cêntrica, contribuindo com a redução do número diploide e inversões pericêntricas e paracêntricas resultando na localização dos sítios de DNAr. / The Loricariidae family is one of the most diversified of the Siluriformes order, with species distributed in seven subfamilies: Hypoptopomatinae, Loricariinae, Hypostominae, Neoplecostominae, Lithogeninae, Delturinae and Ancistrinae. The species of the genus Ancistrus Kner, 1854, belong to the subfamily Ancistrinae, have shown great karyotype variation, and interesting features of the cytogenetic point of view as the presence of sex chromosomes and chromosome polymorphisms. Thus the aim of this study was to characterize the chromosomes of four species of Ancistrus genus (Ancistrus sp. 1 "cupim", Ancistrus sp. 2 "cupim", Ancistrus sp. "mutuca" and Ancistrus sp. "soberbo") belonging to Paraguay basin using techniques of classical and molecular cytogenetics to better understand the karyotype evolution of these species. The species showed diploid number ranging from 2n = 42 to 2n = 54, NOR located in pericentomeric and terminal regions, and these regions size heteromorphism (NOR) in one of the homologous in the four species. The C-banding showed the presence of few heterochromatin with the exception of species Ancistrus sp. 2 "cupim" and Ancistrus sp. "soberbo" that had two large blocks of heterochromatin in a pair of chromosomes in both males and females. An exemplary female of the species Ancistrus sp. 1 "cupim" also presented a large block of heterochromatin in one of the pair of 7 homologous, and these results indicating probable relationship between these heterochromatin blocks and differentiation of sex chromosomes. The results obtained by FISH technique using probes 18S rDNA and 5S showed that the 18S rDNA is located in the same region of NOR, the 5S rDNA is distributed in four and five chromosome pairs and double FISH showed colocalization of these genes. However of Ancistrus species sp. 2 "cupim" and Ancistrus sp. "soberbo" showed variation in results with rDNA markings in heterochromatin blocks. The use of telomeric probe showed markings on the telomeres of the chromosomes of four species studied and pericentromeric marking on a pair of chromosomes of the species Ancistrus sp. 2 "cupim". Our results indicate possible chromosomal rearrangements type fusion centric, contributing to the reduction of the diploid number and pericentric inversions and paracentric resulting in the location of rDNA sites. / FAPESP: 2015/05993-3

No description available.

Genome wide studies have uncovered the existence of large-scale copy number variation (CNV) in the human genome. The human genome of different individuals was initially estimated to be 99.9% similar, but population studies on CNV have revealed that it is 12-16% copy number variable. Abnormal genomic CNVs are frequently found in subtelomeres of patients with mental retardation (MR) and other neurological disorders. Rearrangements of chromosome subtelomeric regions represent a high proportion of cytogenetic abnormalities and account for approximately 30% of pathogenic CNVs. Although DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) are implicated as a major factor in chromosomal rearrangements, the causes of chromosome breakage in subtelomeric regions have not been elucidated. But due to the presence of repetitive sequences in subtelomeres, we hypothesized that chromosomal rearrangements in these regions are not stochastic but driven by specific sequence motifs. In a collaborative effort with Dr. Rudd (Department of human genetics at Emory University), we characterized subtelomeric breakpoints on different chromosome ends in search of common motifs that cause double-strand breaks. Using a yeast-based gross chromosomal rearrangement (GCR) system, we have identified a subtelomeric breakage motif from chromosome 2 (2q SBM) with a GCR rate that is 340 fold higher than background levels. To determine if the fragility of 2q SBM was driven by the formation of secondary structures, the helicase activities of Sgs1 and Pif1 were disrupted. These helicases have been shown to destabilize DNA secondary structures such as G-quadruplex structures. Disruption of these helicases augmented chromosomal rearrangements induced by 2q SBM, indicating that these helicases are required for maintenance of this sequence. We also donwregulated replication fork components to determine if 2q SBM was imposing any problems to the replication fork machinery. Downregulation of replication fork components increased chromosomal rearrangements, indicating that intact replication fork was a critical determinant of 2q SBM fragility. Using a yeast-based functional assay, these experiments have linked human subtelomeric repetitive sequences to chromosomal breakage that could give rise to human CNV in subtelomeric regions.

Collectively, populations of Acanthocyclops vernalis, a species complex of freshwater copepods, are remarkably similar as to morphology and DNA content, despite variability in chromosome number. Reproductive isolation had been reported among some populations, but with each new investigation the species boundaries and factors that may influence them appeared less clear. To clarify the pattern of biological species within this group of populations, we adopted a comprehensive approach and examined patterns of reproductive isolation in populations for which morphology, chromosome number, DNA content, and 18S rDNA sequences are known. In this study we established nine isofemale lines from four sites in Wisconsin and performed 266 crosses. Crosses within and among these lines were used to relate the degree of reproductive isolation to chromosome differences and to construct a model to explain the origin and maintenance of chromosome number variability. Different gametic and somatic chromosome numbers were observed among specimens within some isofemale lines. In a few cases, gametes with different haploid numbers were produced by a single female. Matings within isofemale lines always produced at least some reproductively successful replicate crosses (produced viable, fertile offspring). Crosses between lines from the same site showed reduced success relative to within-line crosses. Crosses between populations from distant sites showed limited genetic compatibility, producing viable, fertile F1 offspring but infertile F2 adults. One cross between lines with different chromosome numbers (one with 2n = 8 and one with 2n = 10) produced fertile viable offspring, which reproduced for at least 60 generations. These hybrids had either eight or nine chromosomes in the third generation of inbreeding, and eight chromosomes after 20 generations. These hybrids also had reduced nuclear DNA contents at the third generation, a level that persisted through the 20th generation. Successful backcrosses between some hybrids and their parental lines further demonstrated the potential for genetic compatibility among forms with different chromosome numbers. We propose a model in which alterations due to Robertsonian fusions, translocations, and/or loss of chromosomal fragments generate heritable variation, only some of which leads to reproductive isolation. Hence, some of the criteria traditionally used to recognize species boundaries in animals (morphology, DNA content, chromosome number) may not apply to this species complex.

As alterações cromossômicas estruturais associadas a fenótipos clínicos oferecem a oportunidade de identificação de genes cujas mutações possam estar determinando essas patologias, tendo em vista a possibilidade de que esses genes podem ter sido alterados pelas quebras ou ter o número de cópias modificado. Um número cada vez maior de evidências aponta para a participação de certas seqüências do genoma na formação de rearranjos cromossômicos recorrentes e não recorrentes. Neste trabalho, estudamos duas deleções cromossômicas detectadas em indivíduos com retardo mental associado a sinais clínicos. O objetivo foi determinar que mecanismos originaram esses rearranjos e como a perda ou quebra dos segmentos cromossômicos está relacionada com o fenótipo dos portadores. A caracterização das seqüências nos pontos de quebra e junção desses rearranjos é fundamental para a compreensão dos mecanismos de formação das alterações cromossômicas. A delimitação precisa dos segmentos deletados é necessária para a correlação com o quadro clínico. Para isso, este trabalho aliou o estudo cromossômico por hibridação in situ fluorescente (FISH) à análise do DNA. / Structural chromosomal alterations related to clinical phenotypes bring the opportunity to identify gene mutations determining the pathologies, because the causative genes may have been disrupted by the breaks or may have an altered number of copies. The delimitation of the segments involved in the chromosomal rearrangements is necessary for these genotype-phenotype correlations. The characterization of breakpoint and junction sequences in these chromosome alterations enables the identification of mechanisms originating them, and evidence has been produced pointing to the participation of particular genomic sequences in their formation. In this work, we studied two chromosomal deletions in patients with syndromic mental retardation, combining chromosomal analysis by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to DNA analysis. Our aim was to determine the mechanisms that originated these aberrations and how they were involved with the clinical phenotypes.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T14:38:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Simone Cristina Girardi.pdf: 4377774 bytes, checksum: 366158b7c208a2a4a26392aebcbc096b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Pimelodidae is a family of fishes of South America, and although several taxonomic and molecular studies have been conducted, the phylogenetic relationships among the genera are not still fully understood. In order to provide data to assist in the understanding of the relationships within this family, cytogenetic studies were performed in two species of Iheringichthys and seven species of Pimelodus from three river systems. The specimens were collected in the Piquiri River, Upper Paraná River basin; in the Iguaçu River, downstream to the Iguaçu Falls in the Middle Paraná River basin; in the Iguaçu River, Lower Iguaçu River basin and in the Ijuí River, Upper Uruguay River basin. The analysis showed the presence of 2n=56 chromosomes for all species, corroborating the hypothesis of this basal diploid number for the family. The AgNORs, confirmed by 18S rDNA-FISH, were localized in the terminal position on long arm of a chromosome pair for all analyzed species, which has been reported for all species of Pimelodidae and may indicate a basal trait for the family. The heterochromatin distribution pattern found herein is similar to those described for other Pimelodidae, and allowed us to differentiate most of the species, becoming an important marker. The location of 5S rDNA sequences in Iheringichthys species allowed their differentiation, and can be used as a taxonomic marker. In Pimelodus species, it was verified a variation in the number and position of 5S rDNA sites. In P. britskii and P. maculates, sites of 5S rDNA and 18S were found in synteny, which may indicate a derived condition for these species, considering that they are the only for pimelodids species till now studied that have this feature. The results of this study provided data that contribute to the knowledge of the evolutionary history of the species for Pimelodidae; establishing phylogenetic relationships and assisting in the identification of these species. / Pimelodidae é uma família de peixes da região Neotropical, e embora vários estudos taxonômicos e moleculares tenham sido realizados, as relações filogenéticas entre seus gêneros ainda não são totalmente compreendidas. Com o intuito de fornecer dados para auxiliar no entendimento das relações dentro desta família, foram realizados estudos citogenéticos em duas espécies de Iheringichthys e em sete espécies de Pimelodus de três sistemas hidrográficos. Os exemplares foram coletados no rio Piquiri, Bacia do Alto rio Paraná; no rio Iguaçu, jusante às Cataratas do Iguaçu na Bacia do Médio rio Paraná; no rio Iguaçu, Bacia do Baixo rio Iguaçu e no rio Ijuí, Bacia do Alto rio Uruguai. As análises mostraram a presença de 2n=56 cromossomos em todas as espécies, reforçando a hipótese de número diplóide basal para a família. As AgRONs, confirmadas pela FISH-DNAr 18S, foram localizadas na região terminal do braço longo de um par de cromossomos em todas as espécies estudadas, sendo que posição terminal desta região é observada em todas as espécies de Pimelodidae e pode indicar um caracter basal da família. O padrão de distribuição de heterocromatina encontrado é semelhante ao observado em outros Pimelodidae, e permitiu diferenciar a maioria das espécies, sendo um importante marcador. A localização das sequências de DNAr 5S nas espécies de Iheringichthys permitiu diferenciá-las, podendo ser utilizado como marcador taxonômico. Em Pimelodus, variação quanto ao número e posição de sítios do DNAr 5S foi observada. Em P. britskii e P. maculatus os sítios de DNAr 5S e 18S foram localizados em sintenia, o que pode indicar uma condição derivada para estas espécies, visto que são as únicas espécies de Pimelodidae que apresentam esta característica até o momento. Os resultados do presente estudo fornecem dados que contribuem para o conhecimento da história evolutiva das espécies de Pimelodidae, permitem estabelecer relações filogenéticas e auxiliam na identificação destas espécies.

A displasia frontonasal (DFN) compreende quadros de aparência facial variável, sendo clinicamente caracterizada por dois ou mais dos seguintes sinais: hipertelorismo ocular com consequente alargamento da base nasal; fissura facial mediana afetando o nariz ou o nariz e lábio superior e, por vezes, o palato; fissura alar (uni ou bilateral); ponta nasal ausente; crânio anterior bífido oculto, e implantação em 'V' dos cabelos na fronte. A DFN pode ser vista como um defeito de desenvolvimento que pode ocorrer por si só ou como parte do quadro clínico de várias síndromes. A maioria dos casos de DFN é esporádica, e em raras circunstâncias foram observadas alterações cromossômicas em alguns indivíduos. Até o momento, quatro genes foram relacionados à patogênese molecular de algumas das síndromes com DFN, EFNB1, associado a uma forma de DFN ligada ao X e os genes ALX1, ALX3 e ALX4, todos associados a formas de DFN com herança autossômica recessiva. Embora esteja claro haver heterogeneidade etiológica, na maioria dos casos de DFN a causa não é conhecida, dificultando o adequado aconselhamento genético aos pacientes e seus familiares. Sendo assim, realizamos estudos com diferentes estratégias metodológicas buscando melhor compreender as possíveis causas genéticas da DFN. Ao todo foram analisados 10 pacientes: um caso familial de DFN leve com herança aparentemente autossômica dominante, um caso clinicamente sugestivo de mutação em ALX1, e oito casos de DFN associada a atraso de desenvolvimento com ou sem outras anomalias, dos quais um apresentava um rearranjo de novo aparentemente balanceado entre os cromossomos 4 e 12. Optamos por realizar sequenciamento dos genes previamente relacionados a fenótipos com DFN em todos os casos; para aqueles em que não foram detectadas mutações patogênicas, realizamos análise de variações de número de cópias (CNV) por microarray de polimorfismos de base única e, para o paciente com rearranjo cromossômico, realizamos o mapeamento do ponto de quebra por hibridação in situ fluorescente. Constatamos uma mutação em heterozigose no gene ALX4 co-segregando com o fenótipo do caso familial, sendo esta a primeira descrição de alteração em tal gene causando uma forma de DFN com herança dominante, e sugerimos pela primeira vez um mecanismo de dominância negativa. No caso sugestivo de mutação em ALX1, o diagnóstico foi confirmado através da identificação de uma mutação em homozigose neste gene do paciente; este caso consiste no 3o da literatura mundial e evidencia pela primeira vez que mutações em ALX1 não necessariamente levam a atraso de desenvolvimento ou deficiência intelectual. Os estudos citogenéticos e moleculares dos pontos de quebra do paciente com rearranjo cromossômico sugeriram os genes ARAP2 e CAND1 como possíveis responsáveis por seu quadro clínico, enquanto o estudo de CNVs nos indivíduos com DFN associada a atraso de desenvolvimento apontou os genes DNAJB12 e ENOX2 como possíveis candidatos para explicar o fenótipo de dois dos pacientes. É preciso que novos estudos sejam realizados a fim de melhor compreender o significado de tais achados e a real contribuição de cada gene para o desenvolvimento craniofacial humano e para a etiologia da DFN. Para os casos em que não foram identificadas alterações conclusivas no presente estudo, embora causas ambientais não possam ser descartadas, é preciso que seja investigada também a existência de fatores genéticos e epigenéticos não detectáveis pelas metodologias utilizadas, bem como a hipótese de mosaicismo somático. Nossos resultados, além de corroborarem o envolvimento dos genes ALX1 e ALX4 em fenótipos com DFN, sugerem também novos genes candidatos: ARAP2, CAND1, DNAJB12 e ENOX2 / Frontonasal dysplasia (FND) is a rare group of disorders that comprises cases with a variety of facial appearances, and is clinically characterized by two or more of the following signs: ocular hypertelorism with consequent broadening of the nasal root; median facial cleft affecting the nose and/or upper lip and palate; clefting of the alae nasi (uni or bilateral); lack of formation of the nasal tip; anterior cranium bifidum occultum; and a V-shaped frontal hairline. FND is a developmental defect that can occur alone or as part of several syndromes. Most cases of FND are sporadic, and in rare circumstances chromosomal alterations were observed in affected individuals. To date, four genes have been related to the molecular pathogenesis of some syndromes with DFN, one (EFNB1) is associated with an X-linked form while the 3 others (ALX1, ALX3 and ALX4) are associated with autosomal recessive forms. Although it is clear that FND is etiologic heterogeneous, the causative mechanism is unknown in most cases which makes it hard to give proper genetic counseling to patients and their families. In order to get new insights into the genetic mechanisms leading to FND, we performed studies with different methodologies. Altogether, 10 patients were analyzed: a familial case of a mild form of FND with an apparently autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, a case clinically suggestive of mutation in ALX1, and eight cases of FND associated with developmental delay with or without other anomalies, one of which with an apparently balanced de novo rearrangement between chromosomes 4 and 12. We chose to sequence the genes previously associated with FND phenotypes in all cases; for those in which pathogenic mutations were not detected, we conducted an analysis of copy number variations (CNV) by single nucleotide polymorphisms microarrays; for the patient with chromosomal rearrangement, we also mapped the breakpoints by using fluorescence in situ hybridization. We found a heterozygous mutation in ALX4 co-segregating with the phenotype of the familial case; this is the first description of mutation in this gene causing a form of FND with dominant inheritance pattern, and we suggested for the first time a dominant negative mechanism. In the case suggestive of mutation in ALX1, the diagnosis was confirmed by the identification of a homozygous mutation in this gene; this is the third case of the literature and shows for the first time that mutations in ALX1 are not necessarily related to developmental delay or intellectual disability. Breakpoints cytogenetic and molecular studies done with the patient with chromosomal rearrangement suggested ARAP2 and CAND1 genes as causative candidates for his condition, while the study of CNVs in individuals with FND associated with developmental delay pointed DNAJB12 and ENOX2 genes as possible candidates to explain the phenotypes of two of the patients. Further studies are necessary to better understand the significance of such findings and the actual contribution of each of these genes to human craniofacial development and the etiology of FND. Although environmental causes cannot be ruled out, it should also be investigated the existence of genetic and epigenetic factors as well as the possibility of somatic mosaicism, among the cases negative for the molecular approaches used in our study. Our results corroborate the involvement of ALX1 and ALX4 in FND phenotypes, and suggest new candidate genes: ARAP2, CAND1, DNAJB12 and ENOX2.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:42:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 3965956 bytes, checksum: 7ee9799f71d65ccd8dd579d596629d39 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-07-23 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Karyological analysis of Geophagus brasiliensis (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824) was performed on 81 specimens from six localities, three geologically recent lakes and three stream collection sites. Techniques included conventional staining with Giemsa, NOR banding, C-banding and in situ hybridization (FISH) with 5S rDNA and 18s rDNA probes. The diploid number was 2n = 48 chromosomes, and fundamental number varied between 50-52. We observed four different karyotypes, based on heteromorphisms presented by the first chromosome pair and were not related to sex, NOR location or collection site. This heteromorphism is related to differences in the ratio arms, which led to variations in the karyotypic formulae (3sm +18 st +26 t; 2sm +20 st +26 t; 4sm +18 st +26 t). This heteromorphism may be related to chromosome rearrangements, such as pericentromeric inversions, deletions, and unequal crossing-over, which together with other processes, such as Muller s ratchet, background selection and dosage compensation caused size alterations in some chromosomes. The number of NORs varied within and between specimens, however most individuals had NOR bands in more than one chromosome pair, a distinctive feature of the Doce River populations. The 18S rDNA probe confirmed the presence of NORs in more than two chromosomes. The location of the 5S rDNA probe remained conserved in all samples, marking a pair of chromosomes. The heterochromatin blocks occurred predominantly in the centromeric / pericentromeric chromosomes, and this a characteristic of the Cichlidae family. Heterochromatin blocks in interstitial regions were observed in two pairs of chromosomes. The presence of two subtelocentric chromosomes, with fully heterochromatic small arms is a diagnostic feature of the populations of the Doce River Basin. We conclude that the populations of G. brasiliensis of the Rio Doce Basin present unique characteristics, as evidenced by four configurations of the first pair of chromosomes and different results obtained by banding techniques. Results suggest differential viability of the chromosomal variations described in this study. / A análise cariotípica de Geophagus brasiliensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) foi realizada em 81 espécimes de seis localidades da bacia do rio Doce. Foram usadas as técnicas de coloração convencional com Giemsa, bandeamento NORs, bandeamento C e hibridização in situ (FISH) com sondas rDNA 18s e rDNA 5S. O número diplóide foi de 2n=48 cromossomos, com variação do número fundamental entre 50-52. Foram observados quatro diferentes cariótipos, com base em heteromorfismos apresentados pelo primeiro par cromossômico e não foram associados ao sexo, à NOR nem ao local de coleta. Esse heteromorfismo está relacionado com diferenças de razão de braços, o que acarretou variações nas fórmulas cariotípicas encontradas (3sm+18st+26t; 2sm+20st+26t; 4sm+18st+26t). Este heteromorfismo pode estar relacionado com rearranjos cromossômicos, como inversões pericentroméricas, deleções, e crossing-over desiguais, as quais, associadas a outros processos, como catraca de Muller, seleção de fundo e compensação de dosagem, determinaram a alteração do tamanho de alguns cromossomos. O número de NORs observadas teve variações intra e inter-individuais, contudo a maioria dos indivíduos apresentou marcações em mais de um par cromossômico, uma característica única das populações de G. brasiliensis da bacia do rio Doce. A sonda de rDNA 18S confirmou a presença de NORs em mais de dois cromossomos. A localização da sonda de rDNA 5S manteve-se conservada em todas as amostras, marcando par de cromossomos telocêntricos. Os blocos de heterocromatina ocorreram predominantemente nas regiões centroméricas/pericentromérica, sendo essa uma característica da família Cichlidae. Blocos de heterocromatina em regiões intersticiais foram observados em dois pares de cromossomos. A presença de dois subtelocêntricos apresentando seus braços menores totalmente heterocromáticos é uma característica diagnóstica das populações da bacia do rio Doce. Conclui-se que as populações de G. brasiliensis da bacia do rio Doce apresentam A análise cariotípica de Geophagus brasiliensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) foi realizada em 81 espécimes de seis localidades da bacia do rio Doce. Foram usadas as técnicas de coloração convencional com Giemsa, bandeamento NORs, bandeamento C e hibridização in situ (FISH) com sondas rDNA 18s e rDNA 5S. O número diplóide foi de 2n=48 cromossomos, com variação do número fundamental entre 50-52. Foram observados quatro diferentes cariótipos, com base em heteromorfismos apresentados pelo primeiro par cromossômico e não foram associados ao sexo, à NOR nem ao local de coleta. Esse heteromorfismo está relacionado com diferenças de razão de braços, o que acarretou variações nas fórmulas cariotípicas encontradas (3sm+18st+26t; 2sm+20st+26t; 4sm+18st+26t). Este heteromorfismo pode estar relacionado com rearranjos cromossômicos, como inversões pericentroméricas, deleções, e crossing-over desiguais, as quais, associadas a outros processos, como catraca de Muller, seleção de fundo e compensação de dosagem, determinaram a alteração do tamanho de alguns cromossomos. O número de NORs observadas teve variações intra e inter-individuais, contudo a maioria dos indivíduos apresentou marcações em mais de um par cromossômico, uma característica única das populações de G. brasiliensis da bacia do rio Doce. A sonda de rDNA 18S confirmou a presença de NORs em mais de dois cromossomos. A localização da sonda de rDNA 5S manteve-se conservada em todas as amostras, marcando par de cromossomos telocêntricos. Os blocos de heterocromatina ocorreram predominantemente nas regiões centroméricas / pericentromérica, sendo essa uma característica da família Cichlidae. Blocos de heterocromatina em regiões intersticiais foram observados em dois pares de cromossomos. A presença de dois subtelocêntricos apresentando seus braços menores totalmente heterocromáticos é uma característica diagnóstica das populações da bacia do rio Doce. Conclui-se que as populações de G. brasiliensis da bacia do rio Doce apresentam características únicas, associadas à existência de quatro configurações do primeiro par cromossômico e aos diferentes resultados obtidas nas técnicas de bandeamento realizadas. Os resultados também sugerem uma viabilidade diferenciada das variáveis cromossômicas descritas nesse trabalho.