Research profile

1. Genetics of allopolyploid nucleus

Polyploidy, in which the entire chromosome complement multiplies (3x, 4x, etc.), is widespread in angiosperms, indeed up to 80% of species may be polyploids and sequence data suggest that even apparently diploid species are, in fact, palaeopolyploids. When polyploidy occurs after interspecific hybridisation the process is called allopolyploidy. Allopolyploidy restores fertility to newly formed hybrids, a driving force behind sympatric speciation in plants. A consequence of allopolyploidy is the bringing together of diverged sequences from different species into the same genome. 
The primary research objective is to understand the implication of plant polyploidy on plant evolution, plant genome structure, genome dynamics and organisation, systematics and biodiversity.

The work focuses on:

  • Genetic interactions in allopolyploid nucleus
  • Epigenetic inactivation of ribosomal gene expression - nucleolar dominance phenomenon
  • Evolution of genomes in ancient (Nicotiana) and recent (Tragopogon) allopolyploids
  • Construction of synthetic allopolyploids

2. Structure, organisation and expression of ribosomal RNA genes

Ribosomal RNAs account for 60% of the ribosome mass, where they catalyse protein synthesis. Four ribosomal DNA genes encode these RNAs in eukaryotes: the 18S, 5.8S, 26S, which form the large rDNA operon (known as 35S or 45S), and the 5S. These rDNAs are present in high numbers, from 50 to 13000 copies per cell. Because of their universality and sequence conservation, rDNAs have been widely used to resolve evolutionary relationships among organisms through molecular phylogenies. They have also been applied as molecular markers for breeding purposes and for species identification in certain environments or samples. 

The main focus is providing information on numbers and positions of ribosomal DNA signals and their structures for 1639 plant species (out of approximately 3000 listed accessions). The 5S genes may occur both linked to the 35S cluster and separate in plant genomes.

  • Animal rDNA database:

            https://www.animalrdnadatabase.com/

  • Plant rDNA database:

            http://www.plantrdnadatabase.com

Following research objectives are epigenetic regulation of expression of rDNA under the conditions of polyploidy and mechanisms that maintain uniformity of multicopy rDNA loci.

3. Evolution of satellite repeats

The term satellite DNA was originally assigned to those parts of a genome that can be separated from the majority of DNA by buoyant density gradient centrifugation, i.e. the density of satellite DNA or, in other words, the AT/GC-content should differ from the mainband DNA. A single highly repetitive satellite may occupy large parts of the eukaryotic genome (up to 50% in some insects). Some repeats occur in a large number of members of a given genus whereas others are specifically present in one or a few species. They also appear to be amplified in different degrees within wild species and cultivated species of higher plants. Satellite DNA is expected to evolve according to the concept of concerted evolution; typically the numerous copies of a satellite DNA family show high levels of intraspecific sequence similarity contrasting a relatively high interspecific diversity with respect to sequence and/or copy number.

The work focuses on:

  • Isolation and characterisation of satellite repeats from different plant species
  • Spreading of satellite repeats along the chromosomes
  • Satellite expansion/contraction in allopolyploid genomes
  • Structural properties of satellite DNA
  • Epigenetic modification of satellite repeat chromatin

4. Epigenetic control of gene silencing

Transgene silencing in plants is a well-documented phenomenon. In general, the insertion of a particular gene into a plant may cause the silencing of homologous native or transgenic genes. In many cases, a transgene engenders silencing of a native gene (co-suppression) as well as of itself, but few cases of silencing of a single, unique insertion, such as that of a reporter gene have been recorded. It has been established that epigenetic mechanisms control gene expression through gene silencing occurring at the transcriptional (TGS), or posttranscriptional (PTGS) levels. Both types of silencing are associated with cytosine methylation, the most common epigenetic modification of DNA higher eukaryots.

The work focuses on:

  • Studies of developmental and environmental control of gene silencing
  • Dynamics and evolution of silent state
  • Chemical drugs that interfere with gene silencing
  • Inheritance and maintenance of silence state
  • Molecules mediating genetic and epigenetic interactions between homologous loci

5. Development of epigenetic drugs

Epigenetic mechanisms based on covalent modifications of chromatin play important role in a number of fundamental biological processes, e.g. transcription, recombination, DNA elimination. At the cellular and organism level, epigenetic tools regulate switches between heterochromatin and euchromatin, imprinting and various developmental processes. Changes in epigenetic programming are involved in many human diseases including cancer suggesting that there is an ultimate need to develop drugs acting on epigenetic pathways. Most eukaryotic organisms evolved methylation of lysine amino acid residues of histone proteins and methylation of cytosine in DNA. The methylation is catalysed by specific enzymes that might be inhibited at different levels. We now aim to develop new inhibitors of DNA and histone methylation.

The work focuses:

  • inhibitors of S-adenosylmethionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine biosynthetic pathways altering methylation cofactor pools
  • inhibitors of DNA methylation based on nucleoside analogs