Is the handedness gene on the X chromosome? Comment on Jones and Martin (2000).
G. V. Jones and M. Martin (2000) argued, contrary to M. C. Corballis (1997), that a gene for handedness might plausibly be located in homologous, noncombining regions of the X and Y chromosomes. The specific model they proposed is unlikely to be correct, but a case can be made for an X-linked gene that has no homologue on the Y chromosome and that is subjected to X-inactivation in females. An X-linked gene predicts no overall sex difference in the incidence of left-handedness; the slight preponderance of left-handers among males might then be attributed to a higher incidence of pathologically induced left-handedness.
Corballis
M C
MC
Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand. m.corballis@auckland.ac.nz
D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000235:genetics*; D008040:Genetic Linkage / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008957:Models, Genetic; D014960:X Chromosome; D014998:Y Chromosome