Hidden depths of genetic diversity - a case study of unusual chromosomes of birds
Abstract: The diploid genomes of nearly all bird species comprise around 80 chromosomes. Nearly all of these are relatively repeat-poor and gene-rich, and have been largely accessible with short-read sequencing technologies. However, two types of avian chromosomes are notoriously difficult to assemble because of their repetitiveness and constitute so far hidden depths of genetic diversity, namely the female-specific W sex chromosome and the female-inherited XX/XO-like germline-restricted chromosome (GRC). Using a combination of single-molecule sequencing technologies, we were able to sequence and assemble large parts of these highly repetitive chromosomes. Interestingly, avian W chromosomes appear to be a “refugium” of endogenous retroviruses which are uncommon on the remaining chromosomes. On the other hand, GRCs mostly consist of tandemly repeated genes which are present in single copies on the remaining chromosomes. These results suggest that the otherwise karyotypically stable genomes of birds evolve rapidly on specific chromosomes.
Homepage Prof Dr Alexander Suh
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