The human Y chromosome: an evolutionary marker comes of age.
Until recently, the Y chromosome seemed to fulfil the role of juvenile delinquent among human chromosomes--rich in junk, poor in useful attributes, reluctant to socialize with its neighbours and with an inescapable tendency to degenerate. The availability of the near-complete chromosome sequence, plus many new polymorphisms, a highly resolved phylogeny and insights into its mutation processes, now provide new avenues for investigating human evolution. Y-chromosome research is growing up.
Jobling
Mark A
MA
Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK. maj4@le.ac.uk
Tyler-Smith
Chris
C
D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005819:Genetic Markers; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009154:Mutation; D010802:Phylogeny; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
D005819:Genetic Markers