Centromeres from telomeres? The centromeric region of the Y chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster contains a tandem array of telomeric HeT-A- and TART-related sequences.
Cytological and cytogenetic studies have previously defined the region needed for centromeric function in the Y chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster. We have identified a YAC clone that originated from this region. Molecular analysis of the YAC and genomic DNAs has allowed the description of a satellite DNA made of telomeric HeT-A- and TART-derived sequences and the construction of a long-range physical map of the heterochromatic region h18. Sequences within the YAC clone are conserved in the centromeric region of the sibling species Drosophila simulans. That telomere-derived DNA now forms part of the centromeric region of the Y chromosome could indicate a telomeric origin of this centromere. The existence of common determinants for the function of both centromeres and telomeres is discussed.
Agudo
M
M
Centro de Biología Molecular 'Severo Ochoa' (CSIC-UAM), 28049 Madrid, Spain.
Losada
A
A
Abad
J P
JP
Pimpinelli
S
S
Ripoll
P
P
Villasante
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002503:Centromere; D018244:Chromosomes, Artificial, Yeast; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics*; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences; D016615:Telomere; D014998:Y Chromosome