Karyotype Dynamics And Automixis In Microbotryum

与大多数染色体结构(核型)相对稳定的生物不同，在真菌Microbotryum中，染色体大小和DNA含量在一代又一代之间存在巨大差异。即使在个体内部，它的两个染色体组之间也可能存在很大的差异。这种变异的原因似乎与真菌的生殖系统有关，在生殖系统中，由一个前体细胞(自交)产生的配子之间发生交配。这种交配系统与许多其他真菌、植物和昆虫的交配系统非常相似。这项研究将研究基因组结构变化对后代生存能力的影响，以及染色体变异与由高度重复的DNA序列组成的基因组比例之间的相关性。了解遗传变异的动态不仅是解释进化过程的基础，也是合理地进行动植物育种和种群管理以保护、预防和控制入侵物种的基础。此外，即使是染色体结构的微小变化也经常与人类和其他系统的严重异常有关。这项研究将有助于确定允许某些生物应对甚至适应基因组不稳定的遗传过程。

Unlike most organisms where the structure of the chromosomes (the karyotype) is relatively stable, in the fungus Microbotryum there is enormous variation in chromosome size and the DNA content from one generation to the next. Even within an individual, there can be large differences between its two chromosome sets. The reasons for this variation appear to be related to the reproductive system of the fungus where mating occurs among the gametes produced by one precursor cell (automixis). This mating system is very similar to that found in many other fungi, plants, and insects. This study will examine the consequences of changes in genomic structure for offspring viability, as well as the correlations between chromosome variation and the proportion of the genome consisting of highly repetitive sequences of DNA.Understanding the dynamics of genetic variation is the basis not only for interpreting evolutionary processes, but also for rational approaches to plant and animal breeding and population management for conservation, disease prevention, and control of invasive species. Furthermore, even small changes in chromosome structure are frequently associated with severe abnormalities in humans and other systems. This study will help identify genetic processes that allow some organisms to cope and even adapt to genomic instability.