CARYOLOGIA Vol. 58, no. 1: 1-14, 2005 (1330)
The non-random location of human oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes
Lima-De-Faria Antonio and Bengt Widegren*
Department of Cell and Organism Biology, Genetics Building, Lund University, Solvegatan 29, 223 62 Lund,
Sweden
Abstract—We have analysed 994 sites for oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes located within human chromosome
bands. The data presented disclose that: 1) These cancer genes build ridges as well as hot spots, which are not
related to the position of other types of genes present in these chromosomes. 2) The frequency of cancer genes is not
directly related to chromosome length, to the number of DNA bases per chromosome or to the number of structural
genes present in each chromosome. 3) Suppressor genes tend to occupy the same location as oncogenes. 4) Several
cancer genes occur in as many as 15 different sites spread over 10 different chromosomes. 5) The main feature of the
distribution of both oncogenes and suppressors, is that they tend to be located near telomeres. Moreover, their numbers
decrease from the telomere to the centromere building a distinct gradient. The difference is statistically significant.
The present evidence, taken together, indicates that the telomeric territory might be a preferential location of
cancer related genes and thereby also of stem cell genes.
Key words: Gene territory - nucleolus organizers - oncogenes - telomeres - tumour suppressors
CARYOLOGIA Vol. 58, no. 1: 15-20, 2005 (1265)
The effect of putrescine and difluoromethylornithine on cell division activity of wheat in different ploidy level
Unal Meral1, Narcin Palavan-Unsal*2 and Isil Ismailoglu1
1 Marmara University, Faculty of Science and Art, Department of Biology, Goztepe 81040, Istanbul-Turkey.
2 Halic University, Faculty of Science and Literature, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Findikzade
34280, Istanbul-Turkey; tel.: ++ 90 212 588 09 90, fax: ++ 90 212 530 35 35, e-mail: palavan@superonline.com.
Abstract —Effects of exogenous putrescine (Put) and difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) on seed germination, root
growth, mitotic activity and mitotic chromosome behavior were investigated in Triticum monococcum (2x), Triticum
durum (4x) and Triticum aestivum (6x). Put and DFMO affected all three species, but diploid species was the most
affected one in respect to seed germination, mitotic index and the occurrence of abnormality than the others. Reduction
of the root growth in Put and DFMO treated samples was due to the reduction of mitotic activity in three species
used in this research.
Key words: Cell division, mitotic activity, ploidy level, polyamines.
CARYOLOGIA Vol. 58, no. 1: 21-27, 2005 (1269)
Morphological and cytogenetics comparison in species of the Mendocinus-group (genus Ctenomys) with emphasis in C. australis and C. flamarioni (Rodentia-Ctenomyidae)
Massarini1 Alicia Isabel & Thales Renato Ochotorena de Freitas2*
1 Grupo de Investigaciones en Biologı´a Evolutiva, Departamento de Ciencias Biolo´ gicas, FCEyN, Universidad de
Buenos Aires, Argentina; e-mail: alicia@bg.fcen.uba.ar.
2 Departamento de Gene´tica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Caixa Postal 15053, 91501-970, Porto
Alegre, RS, Brasil; e-mail: thales.freitas@ufrgs.br
Abstract—Asample of 208 specimens from Ctenomys mendocinus-group species (106 females and 102 males) was
studied. Five species were included in a comparative cytogenetic and morphometric analysis: Ctenomys flamarioni
(N=59), colected between Torres and Estac¸a˜o Ecolo´ gica do Taim from Brazil, and. Ctenomys australis (N=47), Necochea
and Oriente; C. porteousi (N=38), Bonifacio; C. azarae (N=36), Santa Rosa and Anguil; C. mendocinus
(N=28), Mendoza from Argentina. All species showed the same diploid number (2n=48). The karyotypes of C. australis
and C. flamarioni were compared through G-, C- and NORs banding techniques. Skull morphology of the five
species was analysed using Discriminant Analysis. Chromosomes showed small differences between C. flamarioni
and C. australis, while analysis of 18 morphometric variables of skull showed more conspicuous differences among
species.
Key words: C-band, chromosomes, Ctenomys, G-band, Octodontidae, Rodentia, skull morphology.
CARYOLOGIA Vol. 58, no. 1: 28-33, 2005 (1272)
Genomic analysis in Pennisetum purpureum x P. glaucum hybrids
Techio1 Vaˆnia Helena, Lisete Chamma Davide2 and Antoˆ nio Vander Pereira3
1 Universidade do Contestado - UnC, Conco´ rdia-SC, 89700.000. Brazil; phone: 49-441-1051; fax: 49-441-1020;
e-mail: vht@uncnet.br (for correspondence).
2 Universidade Federal de Lavras − UFLA, Lavras-MG, Brazil; phone: 35-38291356; e-mail: lcdavide@ufla.br.
3 Embrapa Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora-MG, Brazil; e-mail: avanderp@cnpgl.embrapa.br.
Abstract — The objective of this study was to evaluate chromosome pairing and the degree of genetic relationship
between elephantgrass (P. purpureum) and pearl millet (P. glaucum). Alonso and Kimber’s mathematical model
(1981) revised by Chapman and Kimber (1992) was applied to three triploid interspecific hybrids. The genomic relative
affinities were calculated based on the evaluations of chromosome pairing of 50 cells in diakinesis, in which univalent,
ring and rod (open) bivalent and trivalent figures were quantified. The pairing relationships estimate showed
that pearl millet M24 and elephantgrass BAG 75 accessions, progenitors of F94-60-01, presented the major genetic
proximity among their chromosome complement.
Key words: chromosome pairing, genomic analysis, interspecific hybrids, meiosis, Pennisetum
CARYOLOGIA Vol. 58, no. 1: 15-20, 2005 (1274)
Chrosomal banding in Parodon hilarii (Pisces Parodontidae), with emphassis on constitutive heterochromatin
Vicente Vera Elisa* and Orlando Moreira Filho
Departamento de Gene´tica e Evoluc¸a˜o, Universidade Federal de Sa˜o Carlos, Rod. Washington Luiz Km 235, Caixa
Postal 676, CEP. 13565-905, Sa˜o Carlos, SP, Brazil; phone: +55-02116-33518309; fax: +55-02116-33518306/
+55-02116-33518377; e-mail: veraev@terra.com.br.
Abstract—Several banding methods were employed to analyze the chromosomes of the fish Parodon hilarii, i.e., Cbanding,
digestion with the restriction endonuclease Hae III, G-banding (trypsin), incorporation of 5-BrdU, and
base-specific fluorochrome staining, with emphasis on the constitutive heterochromatin. The pattern obtained after
the chromosomal cleavage with the restriction enzyme Hae III was similar to that of the C-banding. The incorporation
of 5-bromodeoxiuridin (5-BrdU) in the chromosomes was able to detect several heterochromatin segments of
late replication, with exception of some C-banded sites which were not evidenced after the 5-BrdU treatment. The
terminal segment of the long arm of the 15th chromosome pair, which corresponds to a NOR site, seems to be composed
by AT-rich heterochromatic regions interspersed with CG-rich regions. Besides, the long arm of theWchromosome
shows a structural differentiation concerning the distribution of the heterochromatin.
Key words: Chromosome banding, fish, heterochromatin, Parodon hilarii, sex-chromosomes.
CARYOLOGIA Vol. 58, no. 1: 40-46, 2005 (1279)
Evaluation of the genotoxic potential due to the action of an effluent contaminated with Chromium, by the Comet assay in CHO-K1 cultures
Matsumoto1 Silvia Tamie, Janaı´na Rigonato2, Ma´ rio Se´rgio Mantovani2 and Maria
Aparecida Marin-Morales3,4*
1 Universidade Federal do Espı´rito Santo, Departamento de Cieˆncias Biolo´ gicas, Av. Marechal Campus 1468,
Maruı´pe, CEP: 29040-090, Vito´ ria/ES, Brazil.
2 Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Cx. Postal. 601, CEP: 86051-990, Londrina/
PR, Brazil.
3 Universidade Estadual Paulista, IB-Campus de Rio Claro, Av. 24-A, 1515, CEP: 13506-900, Rio Claro/SP, Brazil.
4 Universidade Estadual Paulista, IBILCE-Campus de Sa˜o Jose´ do Rio Preto, Brasil.
Abstract—The comet assay technique has been considered to be more efficient in the biomonitoring of aquatic environments
that the micronucleus and sister chromatid exchange techniques. The comet assay has been used to determine
breaks in the DNA strands of organisms exposed to pollutants with a genotoxic potential. The comet technique
was applied to CHO-K1 cells in order to evaluate the genotoxic potential of the waters of the Sapucaizinho
River (Municipality of Patrocı´nio Paulista, State of Sa˜o Paulo, Brazil), which receive tannery effluents and therefore
are contaminated with chromium. The results indicated high genotoxicity of the waters collected at sites located
downstream from the emission of tannery effluents, where the concentration of chromium was found to be high.
Key words: Chromium, Comet assay, genotoxicity
CARYOLOGIA Vol. 58, no. 1: 47-51, 2005 (1281)
High content of constitutive heterochromatin in two species of Pseudonannolene (Diplopoda)
Souza Tatiana Da Silva, Rogilene Aparecida Prado and Carmem S. Fontanetti*
Depto. de Biologia, I.B., UNESP, Caˆmpus de Rio Claro- Av 24 A- n°. 1515, CEP 13 506 900, Rio Claro, Sa˜o Paulo,
Brasil.
Abstract—Due to the fact that a considerable amount of constitutive heterochromatin has been commonly found in
millipedes, this paper presents the characterization of the chromosomal complement, through C-banding technique,
of two species of millipedes belonging to the genus Pseudonannolene. The species Pseudonannolene tocaiensis shows
2n=20, with five chromosomal pairs almost completely heterochromatic and the remaining pairs with pericentromeric
C+ blocks. P. silvestris shows 2n=16, with a large heterochromatic portion in the first two pairs of autosomes,
which presented the long arms totally C+.
Keywords: constitutive heterochromatin, cytogenetics, Diplopoda, Pseudonannolene.
CARYOLOGIA Vol. 58, no. 1: 52-55, 2005 (1283)
A note on karyotypes of Sorex caecutiens (Mammalia, Insectivora) from Cheju Island, Korea
Oshida Tatsuo1*, Satoshi Ohdachi2, Sang-Hoon Han3 and Ryuichi Masuda4
1 Laboratory of Molecular Ecology, Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan 407, R.O.C.
(present address: Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro
080-8555, Japan).
2 The Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0819, Japan.
3 Asiatic Black Bear Management Team, National Parks Authority, 511-1 Whangjeon-ri, Masan-myeon, Jeolla-
Namdo 542-853, Republic of Korea.
4 Laboratory of Genetic Diversity, Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Sapporo
060-0810, Japan.
Abstract — Karyotypes of Sorex caecutiens from Cheju Island of Korea were examined with conventional staining
and G-banding by trypsin treatment stained with Giemsa (GTG). The diploid and fundamental autosomal arm numbers
were 42 and 66, respectively. The autosomal complement in the karyotype comprised six pairs of metacentrics,
seven pairs of submetacentrics or subtelocentrics, and seven pairs of acrocentrics. The X was a largest acrocentric
chromosome, and the Y was a small subtelocentric chromosome. Chromosomal constitutions and G-banding pattern
of S. caecutiens from Cheju Island were essentially identical to those reported for S. shinto from Honshu Island,
Japan. This similarity may indicate the ancestral character of the monophyletic S. caecutiens/shinto group.
Key words: Cheju Island, G-banding, karyotype, Sorex caecutiens, Sorex shinto,
CARYOLOGIA Vol. 58, no. 1: 56-61, 2005 (1293)
New contributions to the cytotaxonomy of tiger beetles (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae) from the Afrotropical Region: cytogenetic characterization of Prothyma concinna, Elliptica lugubris and Ropaloteres cinctus
Proenc¸a So´ nia Jesus Ramalho, Maria Joa˜o Collares-Pereira* and Artur Raposo Moniz
Serrano
Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Cieˆncias, Centro de Biologia Ambiental, Campo Grande, Edifı´cio C2 - 3°
Piso, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal. Tel: 00 351 217500000 - Ext. 24309; fax number: 00 351 217500028; e-mail:
soniajr@um.es, mjpereira@fc.ul.pt, aserrano@fc.ul.pt.
Abstract — Metaphases from germinal tissue of three Afrotropical species of tiger beetles occurring in Guinea-Bissau
were analysed using conventional Giemsa-staining. The species showed distinct karyotypes and multiple and
morphologically diverse sex chromosome systems: 2n = 20 + X1X2X3X4Y for Prothyma concinna, 2n = 18 +
X1X2X3Y/X1X1X2X2X3X3 for Elliptica lugubris and 2n = 22 + X1X2X3X4Y for Ropaloteres cinctus. The existence of
a higher number of autosome pairs in P. concinna and R. cinctus (10 and 11 respectively) when compared with the
stability of 9 autosome pairs in most species of genus Cicindela (s.l.) supports the hypothesis of a gradual reduction in
the number of autosomes in the karyotype evolution of cicindelids. This reduction might have been achieved by centric
fusions considering the almost general mediocentric morphology of autosomes and the existence of acrocentric
chromosomes in some basal species of Cicindelini. The existence of one chromosome in P. concinna assigned to the
sex system with strong blocks of heterochromatin in the short arm and in the distal region of the long arm could favour
such an assumption and may question the hypothesis of a complete independent evolution for autosomes and
heterosomes.
Key words: Afrotropical Region, Cicindelidae, Cytogenetics, Guinea-Bissau, Multiple sex chromosome systems
CARYOLOGIA Vol. 58, no. 1: 62-69, 2005 (1295)
Two cytotypes of Kiefferulus tendipediformis (Goetghebuer, 1921) (Diptera, Chironomidae)
Paraskeva Michailova1*, Andrzej Kownacki2, Elz˙bieta Warchałowska-S´ liwa3 and
Ewa Szarek-Gwiazda2
1 Institute of Zoology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 Tzar Osvoboditel boulv. Sofia, Bulgaria.
2 Karol Starmach Department of Freshwater Biology, Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences,
al. Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Krako´w, Poland.
3 Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sławkowska 17, 31-016, Krako´w,
Poland.
Abstract—The material identified as Kiefferulus tendipediformis on the basis of the larval morphology consisted of
two cytogenetically distinct species, which we called cytotype 1 (2n=8) (Bulgaria) and cytotype 2 (2n=6) (Poland).
The karyotype and external morphology (larva, pupa and imago - males) of Kiefferulus tendipediformis from pond on
mine spoils in the Olkusz region with Zn-Pb ore deposits (Southern Poland) are described. The karyotype of cytotype
2 (2n =6) (Poland) consists of two metacentric chromosomes (AB and CD) and one submetacentric GEF. The
chromosomes AB, CD of both cytotypes are very similar, the chromosome GEF is formed through tandem fusion of
two acrocentric chromosomes of cytotype 1 (chromosomes EF and G). The external morphology of the species from
Poland is compared with materials of the same species from Bulgaria and Austria. The larvae of Poland and Bulgaria
are differed in a number of ultrastructure characters. Pupae and imagoes of K.tendipediformis from Poland are distinguished
from those of Austria. The current taxonomic position of the K.tendipediformis in Europe is discussed.
Key words: Chironomidae, cytotype, karyotype, Kiefferulus tendipediformis, polytene chromosomes.
CARYOLOGIA Vol. 58, no. 1: 70-77, 2005 (1302)
Mitotic karyotype stability and meiotic irregularities in the families Loranthaceae Juss. and Viscaceae Miq.
De Andrade1 Maria Jose´ Gomes, Ana Maria Giulietti2 and Marcelo Guerra1,*
1 Departamento de Botaˆnica, Centro de Cieˆncias Biolo´ gicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE,
50.670-420, Brasil; 2 Departamento de Cieˆncias Biolo´ gicas, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana,
BA, 44.031-460, Brasil.
Abstract—Chromosome number, interphase nuclear structure, prophase chromosome condensation patterns, and
meiotic behaviour were analysed in 14 Brazilian species within the families Loranthaceae and Viscaceae. All the species
showed reticulate interphase nuclei and an uniform pattern of prophase chromosome condensation. The eleven
species of Loranthaceae studied had 2n=16, whereas the three species of Viscaceae (Phoradendron) had 2n=28. The
mitotic chromosome of only two species of Phoradendron revealed a significant karyotype asymmetry, while the remaining
karyotypes were more symmetrical, and similar to each other. By contrast, the meiotic behaviour of ten species
analysed exhibited several meiotic irregularities, characteristics of structural heterozygosis. In one sample of
Struthanthus syringifolius, the majority of the meiocytes showed a ring tetravalent. The stability in mitotic karyotype
associated with the meiotic irregularities observed in several genera of these families suggest that in spite of the structural
changes orthoselection has preserved a diploid basal karyotype with large and symmetrical chromosomes. It is
hypothesized that this karyotype was established before the diversification of these families and its large DNA
amount has hindered the occurrence of polyploidy in these families.
Key words: Karyotype evolution, meiotic irregularities, Phoradendron, Phthirusa, Psittacanthus, Struthanthus.
CARYOLOGIA Vol. 58, no. 1: 78-82, 2005 (1306)
Karyological observations on Artemisia alba Turra (Asteraceae)
Peruzzi* Lorenzo, Domenico Gargano and Giuliano Cesca
Museo di Storia Naturale della Calabria ed Orto Botanico, Universita` della Calabria, 87030 Arcavacata di Rende
(CS). Italy.
Abstract — Artemisia alba Turra from Calabria is karyologically studied (2n = 18). From the analysis of literature it
results that this species shows three cytotypes, with a rather distinct geographical distribution: 1) diploids with 2n =
18, previously identified as A. alba subsp. chitachensis Maire (name which is here typified) or A. alba subsp. glabrescens
(Willk.) Valde´s-Bermejo. This diploid cytotype, known from Spain, Morocco and Bosnia-Hercegovina, occurs
also in S Italy (Timpa di S. Lorenzo, Calabria). 2) Tetraploids with 2n = 36, generally identified with the typus subspecies.
This cytotype appears the most widespread in northern part of the species range. 3) hexaploids with 2n = 54,
known only from Abruzzo and Apulia. This cytotype seems of more recent origin, and is here considered of probable
hybridogen origin between the 2n = 36 and 2n = 18 cytotypes. This unit can possibly be identified with A. columnae
Ten. (= A. camphorata var. garganica Ten.). These latter names are lectotypified. We tested also the correlation of the
ploidy level with the size of pollen-grains.
Key words: Artemisia, cytogeography, pollen-grains, taxonomy, typification.
CARYOLOGIA Vol. 58, no. 1: 83-85, 2005 (1323)
On chromosome uniformity, bimodality and evolution in the tribe Aloineae (Asphodelaceae)
Canio Giuseppe Vosa*
Linacre College, Oxford, U.K.
Abstract — Variable AC-segments (allocyclic chromosome segments) are present in all the species of the tribe
Aloineae and are an indication of karyotype evolution and speciation in progress. In all species, the karyotype is very
uniform and this uniformity may be the consequence of climatic stability and of similarity of habitat. All the species
in the tribe possess a bimodal chromosome complement, a special character of ancient origin present in many organisms
both vegetable and animal with a bearing on gene recombination and on evolution.
Key words: AC-segments, Aloineae, chromosome bimodality, crossing-over, speciation.
CARYOLOGIA Vol. 58, no. 1: 86-93, 2005 (1331)
Trichothecene fusarial toxins perturb the cell cycle in meristematic cells of Secale cereale L., Triticum aestivum L. and Vicia faba L.
Packa Danuta1, Elwira Sliwinska2*
1 Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Production, Faculty of Environmental Management and Agriculture, University
of Warmia and Mazury, pl. Ło´ dzki 3, 10-724 Olsztyn, Poland.
2 Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Technology and Agriculture, Al.
Kaliskiego 7, 85-789 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Abstract — Several species of Fusarium spp. which infect agricultural crops produce secondary metabolites exerting
phytotoxic, zootoxic, cytotoxic and antibiotic effects. An effect of two trichothecene toxins, diacetoxyscirpenol
(DAS; type A) and deoxynivalenol (DON; type B) on meristematic cells of T. aestivum, S. cereale and V. faba primary
roots was investigated using flow cytometry and light microscopy. The G2/G1 ratio, mitotic index (MI) as well
as phase indices were estimated in untreated, treated for 24 hours with the 10 mg/l solutions of toxins, and exposed
to a 24-hour post-toxin incubation period root tips. Trichothecene toxins in most of cases increased the G2/G1 ratio
(augmented proportion of 4C nuclei) and decreased MI. Excessive condensation of prophase chromosomes (cereals)
or meta- and anaphase chromosomes (V. faba) and consequent changes in the phase indices were observed. Accumulation
of cells with a 4C DNA content suggests that they were arrested at the G2 phase of the cell cycle and
could not enter mitosis. The observations confirmed that the trichothecene toxins DAS and DON can also act as
inhibitors of the karyokinetic spindle, thus interfering with the progression of mitosis. For DAS, a more typical effect
was to arrest the cell cycle in mitosis, while DON arrested the cells in the G2 phase and prevented commencement
of mitosis.
Key words: deoxynivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol, flow cytometry, meristematic cells, mitotic index.