Abstract
A new study provides evidence that gene transposition from sex chromosomes to autosomes is a conserved phenomenon across mammalian species that rescues dosage-sensitive genes.
Highlights
Theoretical models and empirical data suggest that sex chromosomes evolve from autosomes through the acquisition of a sex determination gene
The mammalian Y chromosome has lost over 640 genes compared with the X chromosome, and this extensive loss of gene copies has created a gene dosage problem [1]
One solution to counteract the loss of gene copies on the Y chromosome is to adjust the expression level of the copy of the gene that remains on the X chromosome; this ‘dosage compensation’ is often achieved through mechanisms that double gene expression or inactivate the existing copy of the gene on the X chromosome, or by more complicated gene-by-gene adjustments to maintain genome balance [2]
Summary
Theoretical models and empirical data suggest that sex chromosomes evolve from autosomes through the acquisition of a sex determination gene. The mammalian Y chromosome has lost over 640 genes compared with the X chromosome, and this extensive loss of gene copies has created a gene dosage problem [1].
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