Abstract
In contrast to animals, separate sexes and sex chromosomes in plants are very rare. Although the evolution of sex chromosomes has been the subject of numerous studies, the impact of repetitive sequences on sex chromosome architecture is not fully understood. New genomic approaches shed light on the role of satellites and transposable elements in the process of Y chromosome evolution. We discuss the impact of repetitive sequences on the structure and dynamics of sex chromosomes with specific focus on Rumex acetosa and Silene latifolia. Recent papers showed that both the expansion and shrinkage of the Y chromosome is influenced by sex-specific regulation of repetitive DNA spread. We present a view that the dynamics of Y chromosome formation is an interplay of genetic and epigenetic processes.
Highlights
The evolution of the Y chromosome architecture has historically been of interest mainly at the cytogenetic level, with a recent switch to genomics and epigenomics
We focus on the main processes that influence the heteromorphic character of sex chromosomes in plants while paying an attention to sex chromosome systems in S. latifolia and R. acetosa that represent the most studied species in this aspect
Is an elevated rate of transposon accumulation the cause or consequence of sex chromosome degeneration? How much does cross-talk of transposable elements with genic regions affect dosage compensation evolution? How much are epigenetic processes involved in the degeneration of sex chromosomes? Surprisingly, structurally divergent sex chromosomes in S. latifolia are euchromatic while papaya homomorphic sex chromosomes reveal clear signs of heterochromatization
Summary
The evolution of the Y chromosome architecture has historically been of interest mainly at the cytogenetic level, with a recent switch to genomics and epigenomics. The main stages of the Y chromosome evolution are manifested by an establishment of the sex-determining region, local suppression of recombination, accumulation of repeats, degeneration of genes, and shrinkage by deletions. In the case of papaya homomorphic sex chromosomes, the accumulation of repeats accounts for much of Y chromosome specific region expansion. Repeats reconstructed characterized by the clustering algorithm employed in the RepeatExplorer pipeline [22]. Red probe illuminates the Y-biased repetitive element (Angela CL7), represents the internal FISH control (subtelomeric tandem repeat X43.1). We focus on the main processes that influence the heteromorphic character of sex chromosomes in plants while paying an attention to sex chromosome systems in S. latifolia and R. acetosa that represent the most studied species in this aspect
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
