SATELLITE DNAS, HETEROCHROMATIN AND SEX-CHROMOSOMES IN CHIONODRACO-HAMATUS (CHANNICHTHYIDAE, PERCIFORMES)

• Published in: Polar Biology
• Main Authors: T. Capriglione, A. Morescalchi, E. Olmo, ROCCO, Lucia, STINGO, Vincenzo, S. Manzo
• Other Authors: T., Capriglione, A., Morescalchi, E., Olmo, Rocco, Lucia, Stingo, Vincenzo, S., Manzo
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 1994
• Subjects: Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11591/189612; https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00239178

We studied the genome of an antarctic ice fish, Chionodraco hamatus, in order to detect highly repetitive DNAs that may play a role in heterochromatinization processes and sex chromosome differentiation. We used two different experimental approaches. Hybridization of a Bkm probe to genomic DNA showed slight differences between the two sexes. Using restriction enzymes, a Bgl II satellite (pIF) was isolated. In situ hybridization revealed a preferential localization of pIF on the centromeres and the telomeres of most chromosomes, as well as an interstitial band on the long arms of the neo-Y sex chromosome, where probably the hypothetical fusion took place. Dot-blot experiments showed that pIF is still present in species belonging to different families of the same suborder. Though preliminary, our results suggest a conservative nature of this DNA which might have played a definite functional role in the genome of these polar fishes. © 1994 Springer-Verlag.