title: Formation and expression of pseudogenes on the B chromosome of rye.
abstract: B chromosomes (Bs) are dispensable components of the genomes of numerous species. In contrast with the prevalent view that Bs do not harbor genes, our recent sequence analysis revealed that Bs of rye (Secale cereale) are rich in gene-derived sequences. We compared these gene-like fragments of the rye B with their ancestral A-located counterparts and confirmed an A chromosomal origin and the pseudogenization of B-located gene-like fragments. About 15% of the pseudogene-like fragments on Bs are transcribed in a tissue-type and genotype-specific manner. In addition, B-located sequences can cause in trans down- or upregulation of A chromosome-encoded genic fragments. Phenotypes and effects associated with the presence of Bs might be explained by the activity of B-located pseudogenes. We propose a model for the evolution of B-located pseudogenes.
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, 06466 Gatersleben, Germany.
authors.forename: Ali Mohammad
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Banaei-Moghaddam
authors.forename: Karla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: Raheleh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Karimi-Ashtiyani
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Houben
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D032461:Chromosomes, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D018745:Genome, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D011544:Pseudogenes / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012434:Secale / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D018744:DNA, Plant