Hobza, R., Kubat, Z., Cegan, R., Jesionek, W., Vyskot, B., Kejnovsky, E.
CHROMOSOME RESEARCH 23: 561-570, 2015

Keywords: repetitive sequences, transposable elements, tandem repeats (satellites), microsatellites, recombination, sex chromosomes
Abstract: Structurally and functionally diverged sex chromosomes have evolved in many animals as well as in some plants. Sex chromosomes represent a specific genomic region(s) with locally suppressed recombination. As a consequence, repetitive sequences involving transposable elements, tandem repeats (satellites and microsatellites), and organellar DNA accumulate on the Y (W) chromosomes. In this paper, we review themain types of repetitive elements, their gathering on the Y chromosome, and discuss new findings showing that not only accumulation of various repeats in non-recombining regions but also opposite processes formY chromosome. The aim of this review is also to discuss the mechanisms of repetitiveDNAspread involving (retro) transposition, DNA polymerase slippage or unequal crossing-over, as well as modes of repeat removal by ectopic recombination. The intensity of these processes differs in non-recombining region(s) of sex chromosomes when compared to the recombining parts of genome.We also speculate about the relationship between heterochromatinization and the formation of heteromorphic sex chromosomes.
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IEB authors: Roman Hobza