Original scientific paper

MOLECULAR CYTOGENETIC STUDY OF HETEROCHROMATIN IN SOME COLEOPTERAN INSECTS

Mirela BAUS LONČAR ; Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
Frane PAIĆ ; Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
Đurđica UGARKOVIĆ ; Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Heterochromatin characteristics have been studied in Leptinotarsa
decemlineata belonging to the leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and compared to the thoroughly analysed heterochromatin of the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor, representing darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae). C-banding reveals heterochromatin in pericentromeric regions of all chromosomes of both species; however heterochromatic blocks of L. decemlineata are significantly
smaller in size. Digestion of L. decemlineata genomic DNA with 12 restriction enzymes reveals presence of bands characteristic for repetitive DNA, but again in a significantly lower amount than those found in genomic DNA of T. molitor. While T. molitor exhibits complete correspondence of restriction enzyme effects on naked DNA and mitotic chromosomes, L. decemlineata mitotic chromosomes are resistant to the digestion with restriction enzymes.
The results show that two species have similar organization of heterochromatin on chromosomes but differ significantly in its amount. In addition, difference in accessibility to in situ restriction enzyme digestion indicates specificity of heterochromatin structure in the two species.

Keywords

Leptinotarsa decemlineata; Chrysomelidae; Tenebrio molitor; repetitive DNA; heterochromatin

Hrčak ID:

39629

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/39629

Publication date:

6.3.2006.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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