The identification and analysis of the sequences that allow the detection of Allium cepa chromosomes by GISH in the allodiploid A. wakegi.

In Allium wakegi, which is an allodiploid species between Allium cepa and Allium fistulosum, each genome can be clearly distinguished using genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). Genomic DNA of A. cepa and A. fistulosum is differentiated both qualitatively and quantitatively. We wanted to isolate nucleotide sequences that give genome-specific signals on A. cepa chromosomes in GISH experiments in A. wakegi. We isolated 23 clones that show GISH-like signal patterns in fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and analyzed their distribution in the A. cepa- and A. fistulosum-derived genomes of A. wakegi. There was considerable variation in the abundance and distribution of these cloned sequences on the chromosomes of the two species. The degree of A. cepa specificity varied among the clones. Twenty-two of the clones showed an even distribution over most chromosome arms with some clustering in the pericentromeric regions, but one clone showed very distinct terminal signals on some chromosomes. Whereas these sequences are not specific for A. cepa, changes in bases in nucleotide sequences and in their amount result in genome-specific characteristics in GISH experiments.