Gene content evolution on the X chromosome
Compared with autosomes, the X chromosome shows different patterns of evolution as a result of its hemizygosity in males. Additionally, inactivation of the X during spermatogenesis can make the X chromosome an unfavorable location for male-specific genes. These factors can help to explain why in man...
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Veröffentlicht in: | Current opinion in genetics & development 2008-12, Vol.18 (6), p.493-498 |
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Format: | Artikel |
Sprache: | eng |
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Online-Zugang: | Volltext |
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Zusammenfassung: | Compared with autosomes, the X chromosome shows different patterns of evolution as a result of its hemizygosity in males. Additionally, inactivation of the X during spermatogenesis can make the X chromosome an unfavorable location for male-specific genes. These factors can help to explain why in many species gene content of the X chromosome differs from that of autosomes. Indeed, the X chromosome in mouse is enriched for male-specific genes while they are depleted on the X in Drosophila but show neither of these trends in mosquito. Here, we will discuss recent findings on the ancestral and neo-X chromosomes in Drosophila that support sexual antagonism as a force shaping gene content evolution of sex chromosomes and suggest that selection could be driving male-biased genes off the X. |
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ISSN: | 0959-437X 1879-0380 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.gde.2008.09.006 |