The hows and Ys of genome integrity.
Much of the Y chromosome consists of large palindromic arrays harboring genes that are critical for spermatogenesis. In this issue, Lange et al. (2009) show that although gene conversion within these arrays maintains their integrity, it also permits rare unequal sister chromatid-exchange events within palindromes that create unstable dicentric chromosomes, resulting in infertility, sex reversal, and Turner syndrome.
Hall
Heather E
HE
Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA.
Hawley
R Scott
RS
D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y; D006801:Humans; D055029:Inverted Repeat Sequences; D008297:Male; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D025064:Sex Chromosome Disorders / Q000235:genetics