Homologous fission event(s) implicated for chromosomal polymorphisms among five species in the genus Equus

J. L. Myka, T. L. Lear, M. L. Houck, O. A. Ryder, E. Bailey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

The genus Equus is unusual in that five of the ten extant species have documented centric fission (Robertsonian translocation) polymorphisms within their populations, namely E. hemionus onager, E. hemionus kulan, E. kiang, E. africanus somaliensis, and E. quagga burchelli. Here we report evidence that the polymorphism involves the same homologous chromosome segments in each species, and that these chromosome segments have homology to human chromosome 4 (HSA4). Bacterial artificial chromosome clones containing equine genes SMARCA5 (ECA2q21 homologue to HSA4q31. 21) and UCHL1 (ECA3q22 homologue to HSA4p13) were mapped to a single metacentric chromosome and two unpaired acrocentrics by FISH mapping for individuals possessing odd numbers of chromosomes. These data suggest that the polymorphism is either ancient and conserved within the genus or has occurred recently and independently within each species. Since these species are separated by 1-3 million years of evolution, this polymorphism is remarkable and worthy of further investigations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)217-221
Number of pages5
JournalCytogenetic and Genome Research
Volume102
Issue number1-4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Genetics(clinical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Homologous fission event(s) implicated for chromosomal polymorphisms among five species in the genus Equus'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this