Novel gene conversion between X-Y homologues located in the nonrecombining region of the Y chromosome in Felidae (Mammalia).
Genes located on the mammalian Y chromosome outside of the pseudoautosomal region do not recombine with those on the X and are predicted to either undergo selection for male function or gradually degenerate because of an accumulation of deleterious mutations. Here, phylogenetic analyses of X-Y homologues, Zfx and Zfy, among 26 felid species indicate two ancestral episodes of directed genetic exchange (ectopic gene conversion) from X to Y: once during the evolution of pallas cat and once in a common predecessor of ocelot lineage species. Replacement of the more rapidly evolving Y homologue with the evolutionarily constrained X copy may represent a mechanism for adaptive editing of functional genes on the nonrecombining region of the mammalian Y chromosome.
Pecon Slattery
J
J
Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, National Cancer Institute, Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center, Frederick, MD 21702, USA. Slattery@mail.ncifcrf.gov
Sanner-Wachter
L
L
O'Brien
S J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002335:Carnivora / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D002415:Cats / Q000235:genetics*; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D017931:DNA Primers; D005091:Exons; D005260:Female; D005785:Gene Conversion; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D014960:X Chromosome; D014998:Y Chromosome; D016335:Zinc Fingers / Q000235:genetics
D017931:DNA Primers