Genetics, Vol. 177, 1277-1290, November 2007, Copyright © 2007
doi:10.1534/genetics.107.075069

Analysis of Drosophila Species Genome Size and Satellite DNA Content Reveals Significant Differences Among Strains as Well as Between Species

* Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, {dagger} Department of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 and {ddagger} Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721

1 Corresponding author: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Life Sciences South, P.O. Box 210106, 1007 E. Lowell St., Tucson, AZ 85721-0106.
E-mail: gbosco{at}email.arizona.edu

The size of eukaryotic genomes can vary by several orders of magnitude, yet genome size does not correlate with the number of genes nor with the size or complexity of the organism. Although "whole"-genome sequences, such as those now available for 12 Drosophila species, provide information about euchromatic DNA content, they cannot give an accurate estimate of genome sizes that include heterochromatin or repetitive DNA content. Moreover, genome sequences typically represent only one strain or isolate of a single species that does not reflect intraspecies variation. To more accurately estimate whole-genome DNA content and compare these estimates to newly assembled genomes, we used flow cytometry to measure the 2C genome values, relative to Drosophila melanogaster. We estimated genome sizes for the 12 sequenced Drosophila species as well as 91 different strains of 38 species of Drosophilidae. Significant differences in intra- and interspecific 2C genome values exist within the Drosophilidae. Furthermore, by measuring polyploid 16C ovarian follicle cell underreplication we estimated the amount of satellite DNA in each of these species. We found a strong correlation between genome size and amount of satellite underreplication. Addition and loss of heterochromatin satellite repeat elements appear to have made major contributions to the large differences in genome size observed in the Drosophilidae.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
ANN BOT (LOND)Home page
I. J. Leitch, I. Kahandawala, J. Suda, L. Hanson, M. J. Ingrouille, M. W. Chase, and M. F. Fay
Genome size diversity in orchids: consequences and evolution
Ann. Bot., January 24, 2009; (2009) mcp003v1.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
GeneticsHome page
S. W. Schaeffer, A. Bhutkar, B. F. McAllister, M. Matsuda, L. M. Matzkin, P. M. O'Grady, C. Rohde, V. L. S. Valente, M. Aguade, W. W. Anderson, et al.
Polytene Chromosomal Maps of 11 Drosophila Species: The Order of Genomic Scaffolds Inferred From Genetic and Physical Maps
Genetics, July 1, 2008; 179(3): 1601 - 1655.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
GeneticsHome page
S. J. Sweeney, P. Campbell, and G. Bosco
Drosophila sticky/citron kinase Is a Regulator of Cell-Cycle Progression, Genetically Interacts With Argonaute 1 and Modulates Epigenetic Gene Silencing
Genetics, March 1, 2008; 178(3): 1311 - 1325.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
GeneticsHome page
T. A. Markow and P. M. O'Grady
Drosophila Biology in the Genomic Age
Genetics, November 1, 2007; 177(3): 1269 - 1276.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
GeneticsHome page
B. R. Calvi, B. A. Byrnes, and A. J. Kolpakas
Conservation of Epigenetic Regulation, ORC Binding and Developmental Timing of DNA Replication Origins in the Genus Drosophila
Genetics, November 1, 2007; 177(3): 1291 - 1301.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]