Search PubMedSearch

PubMed · 41172257

Substantial non-homologous recombination and structural variation results from Brassica AABC and CCAB hybrid meiosis.

Abstract

Meiotic crossovers contribute to genetic diversity and play a crucial role in homologous chromosome segregation. Non-homologous crossovers in Brassica, involving the exchange of genetic material between genomes, can be valuable for transferring novel traits or characteristics between Brassica species. However, there are a limited number of studies that specifically investigate crossover frequencies in populations of interspecific hybrids. We investigated the distribution and frequency of homologous crossover events, as well as non-homologous recombination and structural variation, in hybrids between B. juncea (AABB) × B. napus (AACC) (resulting in AABC hybrids; 5 genotypes) and B. napus (AACC) × B. carinata (BBCC) (resulting in CCAB hybrids; 4 genotypes). The analysis was performed on individuals derived from microspore culture of both unreduced and reduced gametes produced by the AABC and CCAB hybrids. All AABC and almost all CCAB unreduced gamete-derived individuals and most AABC and CCAB reduced gamete-derived individuals showed copy number variation indicative of non-homologous (A-C) recombination. Additionally, a higher frequency of homologous crossovers, also in centromeric and pericentromic regions, was observed in the diploid genomes of the AABC and CCAB hybrids. Overall, these hybrid types show high frequencies of A-C introgressions, which may be useful in B. juncea or B. carinata introgression breeding, and this increased recombination frequency may help break up existing linkage disequilibrium blocks in the Brassica A and C genomes.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Zhenling Lv, Shima Mahmoudi, Annaliese S Mason. 2025. Substantial non-homologous recombination and structural variation results from Brassica AABC and CCAB hybrid meiosis.. https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.70555

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

Genomic introgressions from wild relatives in the wheat genome alter meiotic dynamics in inter-varietal hybrids.

The use of wild relatives to introduce original diversity in the genome of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an interesting approach to face the challenges of sustainable agriculture and the impact of climate change on wheat production. However, the influence of these wild-species introgressions on meiosis in inter-varietal wheat hybrids remains poorly understood. We analyzed the French wheat variety Renan (Re) carrying Aegilops ventricosa (Aev)-derived 2AS/2NS and 7DL/7DvL introgressions, the reference cultivar Chinese Spring (CS), which lacks these introgressions, and their inter-varietal hybrid Chinese Spring × Renan (CSRe). This analysis combined cytogenetic approaches with the assessment of reproductive performance. Furthermore, we generated a cytological atlas of meiosis in wild tetraploid Aev, quantifying bivalent configurations and chiasma frequency. We observed a reduced pollen viability and a slight decrease in floret fertility in the hybrid CSRe. Exploration of the meiotic behavior showed that CSRe exhibited increased numbers of rod bivalents and univalents, leading to a reduced average chiasma number and frequent chromosome bridges and fragmentations, whereas the parental lines maintained stable chromosome pairing. These rearrangements indicate that homologous chromosome pairing and recombination are affected in CSRe. We applied introgression-specific oligo-Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization to localize alien segments in CSRe, providing a novel strategy to investigate the meiotic behavior of introgressed regions. The 2AS/2NS introgressed segments in CSRe were frequently located on rod bivalents or univalents, while 7DL/7DvL segments consistently formed ring bivalents. Our results provide a foundation for guiding alien gene introgression and for understanding the behavior of chromosomes with introgressions in the wheat genome.

Meiosis

Genomic Divergence Shaped the Genetic Regulation of Meiotic Homologous Recombination in Brassica Allopolyploids.

The tight regulation of meiotic recombination between homologs is disrupted in Brassica AAC allotriploids, a genomic configuration that may have facilitated the formation of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) ∼7,500 years ago. Indeed, the presence of the haploid C genome induces supernumerary crossovers between homologous A chromosomes with dramatically reshaped distribution. However, the genetic mechanisms driving this phenomenon and their divergence between nascent and established lineages remain unclear. To address these concerns, we generated hybrids carrying additional C chromosomes derived either from an established lineage of the allotetraploid B. napus or from its diploid progenitor B. oleracea. We then assessed recombination variation across twelve populations by mapping male meiotic crossovers using single nucleotide polymorphism markers evenly distributed across the sequenced A genome. Our findings reveal that the C09 chromosome of B. oleracea is responsible for the formation of additional crossovers near pericentromeric regions. Interestingly, its counterpart from an established lineage of B. napus shows no significant effect on its own, despite having a similar content of meiotic genes. However, we showed that the B. napus C09 chromosome influences crossover formation through inter-chromosomal epistatic interactions with other specific C chromosomes. These results provide new insights into the genetic regulation of homologous recombination in Brassica and emphasize the role of genomic divergence since the formation of the allopolyploid B. napus.

Meiosis