FISH-based mitotic and meiotic diakinesis karyotypes of Morus notabilis reveal a chromosomal fusion-fission cycle between mitotic and meiotic phases.

Mulberry (Morus spp.), in family Moraceae, is a plant with important economic value. Many polyploid levels of mulberry have been determined. In the present study, the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique was applied in Morus notabilis, using four single-copy sequences, telomere repeats, and 5S and 25S rDNAs as probes. All the mitotic chromosomes were clearly identified and grouped into seven pairs of homologous chromosomes. Three dot chromosome pairs were distinguished by the FISH patterns of the 25S rDNA probe and a simple sequence repeat (SSR2524). According to the FISH signals, chromosome length and morphology, detailed meiotic diakinesis karyotype was constructed. Interestingly, only six bivalent chromosomes were observed in diakinesis cells. The 25S rDNA probe was used to illustrate chromosome alterations. The results indicated that mitotic chromosomes 5 and 7 fused into diakinesis chromosome 5 during the meiotic phase. In mitotic cells, the fused chromosome 5 broke into chromosomes 5 and 7. A chromosomal fusion-fission cycle between the meiotic and mitotic phases in the same individual is reported here for the first time. This finding will contribute to the understanding of karyotype evolution in plants.