title: Plant B chromosomes.
abstract: B chromosomes are dispensable elements of the genome that do not recombine with the A chromosomes of the regular complement and that follow their own evolutionary pathway. Here, we survey current knowledge on the DNA/chromatin composition, origin, and drive mechanisms of B chromosomes and discuss the potential research applications of supernumerary chromosomes.
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Houben
authors.forename: Shuhei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nasuda
authors.forename: Takashi R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Endo
mesh_terms: D002503:Centromere; D002843:Chromatin; D032461:Chromosomes, Plant; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D018745:Genome, Plant; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D018744:DNA, Plant