A Database of Drosophila Genes & Genomes

FB2013_03, released May 7th, 2013
 

Reference Report

Reference
Citation Steinemann, S., Steinemann, M. (2005). Y chromosomes: born to be destroyed.  BioEssays 27(10): 1076--1083. (Export to RIS)
FlyBase ID FBrf0189794
Publication Type Review
PubMed ID 16163733
PubMed Abstract Suppression of recombination is the prerequisite for stable genetically determined sex systems. A consequence of suppression of recombination is the strong bias in the distribution of transposable elements (TEs), mostly retrotransposons. Our results and those from others indicate that the major force driving the degeneration of Y chromosomes are retrotransposons in remodelling former euchromatic chromosome structures into heterochromatic ones. We put forward the following hypotheses. (1) A massive accumulation of retrotransposons occurs early in non-recombining regions. (2) Heterochromatic nucleation centres are formed as a genomic defence mechanism against invasive parasitic elements. The newly established nucleation centres become epigenetically inherited. (3) Spreading of heterochromatin from the nucleation centres into flanking regions induces, in an adaptive process, transcriptional gene silencing of neighbourhood genes that could either be still intact or in an already eroded condition. (4) Constitutive silenced genes are not under the same genetic selection pressure as active genes. They are more exposed to the decay process. (5) Gene dosage balance is re-established by the parallel evolution of dosage compensation mechanisms.
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Language of Publication English
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Publication Type Journal
Abbreviation BioEssays
Title BioEssays
Publication Year 1984-
ISBN/ISSN 0265-9247
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