title: B chromosomes: from cytogenetics to systems biology.
abstract: Though hundreds to thousands of reports have described the distribution of B chromosomes among diverse eukaryote groups, a comprehensive theory of their biological role has not yet clearly emerged. B chromosomes are classically understood as a sea of repetitive DNA sequences that are poor in genes and are maintained by a parasitic-drive mechanism during cell division. Recent developments in high-throughput DNA/RNA analyses have increased the resolution of B chromosome biology beyond those of classical and molecular cytogenetic methods; B chromosomes contain many transcriptionally active sequences, including genes, and can modulate the activity of autosomal genes. Furthermore, the most recent knowledge obtained from omics analyses, which is associated with a systemic view, has demonstrated that B chromosomes can influence cell biology in a complex way, possibly favoring their own maintenance and perpetuation.
authors: Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, Agronomic Science School, UNESP - Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, 18610-307, Brazil.
authors: Guilherme T
authors: GT
authors: Valente
authors: Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, UNESP - Sao Paulo State University, Sao Paulo, Botucatu, 18618-689, Brazil.
authors: Rafael T
authors: RT
authors: Nakajima
authors: Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, UNESP - Sao Paulo State University, Sao Paulo, Botucatu, 18618-689, Brazil.
authors: Bruno E A
authors: BE
authors: Fantinatti
authors: Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, UNESP - Sao Paulo State University, Sao Paulo, Botucatu, 18618-689, Brazil.
authors: Diego F
authors: DF
authors: Marques
authors: Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, Agronomic Science School, UNESP - Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, 18610-307, Brazil.
authors: Rodrigo O
authors: RO
authors: Almeida
authors: Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, Agronomic Science School, UNESP - Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, 18610-307, Brazil.
authors: Rafael P
authors: RP
authors: Simões
authors: Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, UNESP - Sao Paulo State University, Sao Paulo, Botucatu, 18618-689, Brazil. cmartins@ibb.unesp.br.
authors: Cesar
authors: C
authors: Martins
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics*; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D049490:Systems Biology
keywords: Cytogenomics; Evolution; Genomics; Supernumerary chromosomes