The Y chromosome as a target for acquired and amplified genetic material in evolution.
The special properties of the Y chromosome stem form the fact that it is a non-recombining degenerate derivative of the X chromosome. The absence of homologous recombination between the X and the Y chromosome leads to gradual degeneration of various Y chromosome genes on an evolutionary timescale. The absence of recombination, however, also favors the accumulation of transposable elements on the Y chromosome during its evolution, as seen with both Drosophila and mammalian Y chromosomes. Alongside these processes, the acquisition and amplification of autosomal male benefit genes occur. This review will focus on recent studies that reveal the autosome-acquired genes on the Y chromosome of both Drosophila and humans. The evolution of the acquired and amplified genes on the Y chromosome is also discussed. Molecular and comparative analyses of Y-linked repeats in the Drosophila melanogaster genome demonstrate that there was a period of their degeneration followed by a period of their integration into RNAi silencing, which was beneficial for male fertility. Finally, the function of non-coding RNA produced by amplified Y chromosome genetic elements will be discussed.
Gvozdev
Vladimir A
VA
Institute of Molecular Genetic of the Russian Academy of Science, Russia. gvozdev@img.ras.ru
Kogan
Galina L
GL
Usakin
Lev A
LA
D000818:Animals; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005784:Gene Amplification / Q000235:genetics*; D016678:Genome / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D014960:X Chromosome / Q000235:genetics; D014998:Y Chromosome / Q000235:genetics*
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements