title: Identification of homogeneously staining regions by G-banding and chromosome microdissection, and FISH marker selection using human Alu sequence primers in a scleractinian coral Coelastrea aspera Verrill, 1866 (Cnidaria).
abstract: Karyotype analysis was performed on the scleractinian coral Coelastrea aspera Verrill, 1866, commonly found along temperate coasts in Japan (30-35°N) and in coastal waters in the Indian and Pacific oceans. G-banding of Coelastrea aspera was successfully performed, although the banding pattern was not as clear as that in mammals. The karyogram clearly revealed that this coral had a homogeneously staining region (hsr) in chromosome 11. This hsr consisted of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) related genes, which was demonstrated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with probes generated using 28S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) primers and those generated through chromosome microdissection. In addition, we conducted silver-stained nucleolus organizer region (Ag-NOR) analysis and found Ag depositions in the interphase nuclei but not on rRNA gene loci and hsr(s) in the mitotic stage. The hsr of this coral was observed in approximately 50% of the metaphase spreads analyzed. This may explain the diversity of coral rDNA based on the molecular study of sequence analysis. Furthermore, it was discovered that human telomere and Alu repeated sequences were present in this Coelastrea aspera. Probes derived from human Alu sequences are expected to play an important role in the classification of corals. Overall, our data can be of great value in discriminating among scleractinian coral species and understanding their genetics, including chromosomal evolution.
authors.affiliation: Division of Human Health and Medical Science, Graduate School of Kuroshio Science, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi 783-8505, Japan.
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taguchi
authors.affiliation: Division of Human Health and Medical Science, Graduate School of Kuroshio Science, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi 783-8505, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kubota
authors.affiliation: Kuroshio Biological Research Foundation, Otsuki, Hata County, Kochi 788-0333, Japan.
authors.forename: Takuma
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mezaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tagami
authors.affiliation: Division of Marine Bioresources, Graduate School of Kuroshio Science, Kochi University, 2-5-1 Akebono-cho, Kochi 780-8520, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sekida
authors.affiliation: Kuroshio Biological Research Foundation, Otsuki, Hata County, Kochi 788-0333, Japan.
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakachi
authors.affiliation: Division of Marine Bioresources, Graduate School of Kuroshio Science, Kochi University, 2-5-1 Akebono-cho, Kochi 780-8520, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okuda
authors.affiliation: Division of Human Health and Medical Science, Graduate School of Kuroshio Science, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi 783-8505, Japan; Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University.
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tominaga
keywords: Alu repeats; Coral; FISH; chromosome microdissection; hsr; karyotype