Physical mapping of 45S rRNA genes in Cucumis species by fluorescence in situ hybridization

Abstract

The chromosomal locations of the genes coding for the 18S-5.8S-26S rRNA was investigated in Cucumis species using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L., 2n = 2x = 14) possesses four pairs of rDNA loci that were mapped to chromosomes 1C, 2C, 4C, and 7C. The distinctive hybridization sites of the 18S-5.8S-26S rRNA genes provide several useful cytogenetic markers for identification of chromosomes in C. sativus. The 18S-5.8S-26S rDNA genes have also been detected on two chromosome pairs, one major and one minor pair of loci, in melon (Cucumis melo L., 2n = 2x = 24) and on three pairs of Cucumis hystrix Chakr. chromosomes. The different number and pattern of rDNA sites is consistent with the hypothesis that considerable phylogenetic distance exists among these species.Key words: fluorescence in situ hybridization, 45S rRNA gene, cytogenetics, Cucumis sativus, Cucucmis melo, Cucumis hystrix.