X chromosomes, retrogenes and their role in male reproduction.
Retrogenes originate from their progenitor genes by retroposition. Several retrogenes reported in recent studies are autosomal, originating from X-linked progenitor genes, and have evolved a testis-specific expression pattern. During male meiosis, sex chromosomes are segregated into a so-called 'XY' body and are silenced transcriptionally. It has been widely hypothesized that the silencing of the X chromosome during male meiosis is the driving force behind the retroposition of X-linked genes to autosomes during evolution. With the advent of sequenced genomes of many species, many retrogenes can be identified and characterized. The testis-specific retrogenes might be associated with human male infertility. My goal here is to integrate recent findings, highlight controversies in the field and identify areas for further study.
Wang
P Jeremy
PJ
Department of Animal Biology, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. pwang@vet.upenn.edu
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D014960:X Chromosome / Q000235:genetics*