title: A unique late-replicating XY to autosome translocation in Peromyscus melanophrys.
abstract: We report on the characterization of the Peromyscus melanophrys karyotype and sex chromosome system. Classic studies reported the sex chromosome system of this species may be as complex as an X(1)X(1)X(2)X(2)/X(1)X(2)Y(1)Y(2) and provided conflicting identification of the X chromosome. Using Peromyscus maniculatus chromosome paints, we have positively identified the sex chromosomes and clarified the sex determining system that once perplexed Peromyscus researchers. The sex chromosomes are characterized by a unique autosomal translocation of DNA shared between both the X and Y chromosomes. The translocated material is late replicating and heterochromatic yet retains the active chromatin conformation. Thus, autosomal regions derived from translocations involving repeat-rich material may retain some epigenetic marks specific to the sex chromosomes despite loss of epigenetic silencing activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, 06269, USA.
authors.forename: Elisabeth E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Mlynarski
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Obergfell
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dewey
authors.forename: Rachel J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: O'Neill
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020223:Chromosome Painting; D004261:DNA Replication; D005260:Female; D006570:Heterochromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010542:Peromyscus / Q000235:genetics*; D014178:Translocation, Genetic; D014960:X Chromosome; D049951:X Chromosome Inactivation; D014998:Y Chromosome
chemical_list: D006570:Heterochromatin