B chromosome behavior in maize pollen as determined by a molecular probe

The B chromosomes of maize typically undergo nondisjunction during the second microspore division (generative cell division). When the microspore nucleus contains only one B chromosome, two kinds of sperm result, one with two B chromosomes and one with no B chromosomes. The sperm with the B chromoso...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Genetics (Austin) 1997-12, Vol.147 (4), p.1915-1921
Main Authors: Rusche, M.L. (Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff.), Mogensen, H.L, Shi, L, Keim, P, Rougier, M, Chaboud, A, Dumas, C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ACCESSORY CHROMOSOMES
ADN
Biochemistry, Molecular Biology
Biotinylation
CELL DIVISION
CHROMOSOME
CHROMOSOMES
Corn
CROMOSOMAS
DIVISION CELLULAIRE
DIVISION CELULAR
DNA
DNA HYBRIDIZATION
DNA Probes
DNA, Plant
Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate
FLUORESCENCE IN SITU HYBRIDIZATION
GAMETOGENESE
GAMETOGENESIS
Genes
HIBRIDACION DE ADN
HYBRIDATION D'ADN
In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence - methods
INTERPHASE
Investigations
Life Sciences
MEIOSE
MEIOSIS
MICROSPORES
Molecular biology
NON-DISJUNCTION
NOYAU CELLULAIRE
NUCLEI
NUCLEIC PROBES
NUCLEO
NUCLEUS
POLEN
POLLEN
Pollen - genetics
SONDAS NUCLEICAS
SONDE NUCLEIQUE
ZEA MAYS
Zea mays - genetics
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Summary:The B chromosomes of maize typically undergo nondisjunction during the second microspore division (generative cell division). When the microspore nucleus contains only one B chromosome, two kinds of sperm result, one with two B chromosomes and one with no B chromosomes. The sperm with the B chromosomes preferentially fertilizes the egg cell. Previous studies of these phenomena have been limited to genetic analysis and chromosome spreads. In this study we show that a B chromosome-specific probe can be used with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis to detect the presence, location, and frequency of B chromosomes in intact interphase nuclei within mature pollen of maize. Using genetic line TB-10L18, our results indicate that nondisjunction of the B centromere occurs at an average frequency of 56.6%, based on four plants and 1306 pollen grains analyzed. This is consistent with the results of genetic studies using the same B-A translocation. In addition, our results suggest that B chromosome nondisjunction can occur during the first microspore division. Spatial distribution of the B chromosome-specific probe appears to be largely confined to one tip of the sperm nucleus, and a DNA fragment found outside the pollen nuclei often hybridizes to the B chromosome-specific probe.
ISSN:0016-6731
1943-2631
1943-2631
DOI:10.1093/genetics/147.4.1915