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Programmed DNA elimination of germline development genes in songbirds

Author

Listed:
  • Cormac M. Kinsella

    (Uppsala University
    Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam)

  • Francisco J. Ruiz-Ruano

    (Uppsala University
    University of Granada
    Uppsala University)

  • Anne-Marie Dion-Côté

    (Uppsala University
    Cornell University
    Université de Moncton)

  • Alexander J. Charles

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Toni I. Gossmann

    (University of Sheffield
    Bielefeld University)

  • Josefa Cabrero

    (University of Granada)

  • Dennis Kappei

    (National University of Singapore
    National University of Singapore)

  • Nicola Hemmings

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Mirre J. P. Simons

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Juan Pedro M. Camacho

    (University of Granada)

  • Wolfgang Forstmeier

    (Max Planck Institute for Ornithology)

  • Alexander Suh

    (Uppsala University
    Uppsala University)

Abstract

In some eukaryotes, germline and somatic genomes differ dramatically in their composition. Here we characterise a major germline–soma dissimilarity caused by a germline-restricted chromosome (GRC) in songbirds. We show that the zebra finch GRC contains >115 genes paralogous to single-copy genes on 18 autosomes and the Z chromosome, and is enriched in genes involved in female gonad development. Many genes are likely functional, evidenced by expression in testes and ovaries at the RNA and protein level. Using comparative genomics, we show that genes have been added to the GRC over millions of years of evolution, with embryonic development genes bicc1 and trim71 dating to the ancestor of songbirds and dozens of other genes added very recently. The somatic elimination of this evolutionarily dynamic chromosome in songbirds implies a unique mechanism to minimise genetic conflict between germline and soma, relevant to antagonistic pleiotropy, an evolutionary process underlying ageing and sexual traits.

Suggested Citation

  • Cormac M. Kinsella & Francisco J. Ruiz-Ruano & Anne-Marie Dion-Côté & Alexander J. Charles & Toni I. Gossmann & Josefa Cabrero & Dennis Kappei & Nicola Hemmings & Mirre J. P. Simons & Juan Pedro M. Ca, 2019. "Programmed DNA elimination of germline development genes in songbirds," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-13427-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13427-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Stephen A. Schlebusch & Jakub Rídl & Manon Poignet & Francisco J. Ruiz-Ruano & Jiří Reif & Petr Pajer & Jan Pačes & Tomáš Albrecht & Alexander Suh & Radka Reifová, 2023. "Rapid gene content turnover on the germline-restricted chromosome in songbirds," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.

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