Characterization of Prdm9 in equids and sterility in mules.
Abstract: Prdm9 (Meisetz) is the first speciation gene discovered in vertebrates conferring reproductive isolation. This locus encodes a meiosis-specific histone H3 methyltransferase that specifies meiotic recombination hotspots during gametogenesis. Allelic differences in Prdm9, characterized for a variable number of zinc finger (ZF) domains, have been associated with hybrid sterility in male house mice via spermatogenic failure at the pachytene stage. The mule, a classic example of hybrid sterility in mammals also exhibits a similar spermatogenesis breakdown, making Prdm9 an interesting candidate to evaluate in equine hybrids. In this study, we characterized the Prdm9 gene in all species of equids by analyzing sequence variation of the ZF domains and estimating positive selection. We also evaluated the role of Prdm9 in hybrid sterility by assessing allelic differences of ZF domains in equine hybrids. We found remarkable variation in the sequence and number of ZF domains among equid species, ranging from five domains in the Tibetan kiang and Asiatic wild ass, to 14 in the Grevy's zebra. Positive selection was detected in all species at amino acid sites known to be associated with DNA-binding specificity of ZF domains in mice and humans. Equine hybrids, in particular a quartet pedigree composed of a fertile mule showed a mosaic of sequences and number of ZF domains suggesting that Prdm9 variation does not seem by itself to contribute to equine hybrid sterility.
Publication Date: 2013-04-22 PubMed ID: 23613924PubMed Central: PMC3632555DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061746Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research investigated the role of the Prdm9 gene, known to be associated with sterility in hybrid species, in equids – specifically, mules which frequently experience sterility. They undertook gene sequencing in various equid species, assessing variations and evolutionary adaptions of the gene. The study did not find a direct link between variations in the Prdm9 gene and sterility in equine hybrids.
Understanding the Prdm9 Gene
- The Prdm9 gene, or Meisetz, is significant because it is the first identified gene associated with speciation, or the formation of new and distinct species, in vertebrates. This means that it can contribute to reproductive isolation, where different species are unable to interbreed successfully.
- Prdm9 is a meiosis-specific histone H3 methyltransferase, indicating its role during gametogenesis, the process by which an organism’s germ cells (eggs or sperm) are produced through a type of cell division called meiosis.
- This gene is especially known for controlling the places where recombination occurs during meiosis, which involves the shuffling of genetic materials. These sites are often called recombination hotspots.
- Previous studies in house mice have associated variations in the Prdm9 gene, especially in the number of zinc finger (ZF) domains, with hybrid sterility. Hybrid mice suffer from spermatogenesis breakdown during the pachytene stage, a phase of meiosis in which the process cannot proceed resulting in sterility.
Prdm9 in Equids and Mule Sterility
- Given its known impacts in other species, researchers considered Prdm9 a candidate for similar studies in equids, a family of animals that includes horses, donkeys, and zebras. Mules, offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, are often sterile, providing a further reason to consider this gene.
- The researchers characterized the Prdm9 gene in all species of equids. They did this by sequencing the gene and particularly evaluating the variations in the ZF domains of the gene. They also estimated the rate of positive selection, reflecting the speed of evolutionary adaptations of this gene.
- The findings highlighted a notable variation in the sequence and number of ZF domains among equid species. For instance, the Tibetan kiang and Asiatic wild ass each have five domains, while the Grevy’s zebra has 14.
- A vital observation was that all studied species showed positive selection at amino acid sites related to the DNA-binding specificity of the ZF domains, a characteristic found in mice and humans as well.
Prdm9 and Equine Hybrid Sterility
- The role of Prdm9 in hybrid sterility was further evaluated by studying the differences in ZF domains in equine hybrids, specifically including a fertile mule.
- Mules displayed a varied number and sequences of ZF domains. However, these differences were not directly associated with sterility in these equine hybrids. In simpler terms, variations in the Prdm9 gene appear not to be directly responsible for mule sterility, contrary to what has been observed in other species such as mice.
Cite This Article
APA
Steiner CC, Ryder OA.
(2013).
Characterization of Prdm9 in equids and sterility in mules.
PLoS One, 8(4), e61746.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0061746 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Genetics Division, San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global, Escondido, California, USA. csteiner@sandiegozoo.org
MeSH Terms
- Alleles
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Equidae / genetics
- Evolution, Molecular
- Female
- Genetic Variation
- Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / chemistry
- Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / genetics
- Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / metabolism
- Hybridization, Genetic
- Infertility / enzymology
- Infertility / genetics
- Male
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Selection, Genetic
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
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