Origin and evolution of spermatogenesis genes on the human sex chromosomes.
Both the X and Y chromosomes have a remarkable enrichment of genes involved in gonadogenesis and gametogenesis. The small Y chromosome contains the sex determining gene SRY, as well as many genes that are critical for spermatogenesis and are expressed exclusively in the testis. The X chromosome, too, is enriched for genes involved in sex and reproduction. This biased gene content can be best understood in terms of the origin and evolution of our sex chromosomes. The Y chromosome can be seen as the relic of the ancient autosome, on which only a few genes survive by virtue of their critical male-specific role. The X is more complicated - it has evolved male-advantage genes because of its representation as a single copy in males, where it is exposed to selection for male-advantage genes.
Delbridge
Margaret L
ML
Comparative Genomics Group, Research School of Biological Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia. Margaret.Delbridge@anu.edu.au
Graves
Jennifer A Marshall
JA
D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D041321:Chromosomes, Human, X / Q000235:genetics; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics; D012730:Sex Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics*