Paul Jay, Daniel Jeffries, Fanny E. Hartmann, Amandine Véber, Tatiana Giraud
{"title":"Why do sex chromosomes progressively lose recombination?","authors":"Paul Jay, Daniel Jeffries, Fanny E. Hartmann, Amandine Véber, Tatiana Giraud","doi":"10.1016/j.tig.2024.03.005","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>Progressive recombination loss is a common feature of sex chromosomes. Yet, the evolutionary drivers of this phenomenon remain a mystery. For decades, differences in trait optima between sexes (sexual antagonism) have been the favoured hypothesis, but convincing evidence is lacking. Recent years have seen a surge of alternative hypotheses to explain progressive extensions and maintenance of recombination suppression: neutral accumulation of sequence divergence, selection of nonrecombining fragments with fewer deleterious mutations than average, sheltering of recessive deleterious mutations by linkage to heterozygous alleles, early evolution of dosage compensation, and constraints on recombination restoration. Here, we explain these recent hypotheses and dissect their assumptions, mechanisms, and predictions. We also review empirical studies that have brought support to the various hypotheses.</p>","PeriodicalId":54413,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Genetics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":13.6000,"publicationDate":"2024-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Trends in Genetics","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2024.03.005","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"GENETICS & HEREDITY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Progressive recombination loss is a common feature of sex chromosomes. Yet, the evolutionary drivers of this phenomenon remain a mystery. For decades, differences in trait optima between sexes (sexual antagonism) have been the favoured hypothesis, but convincing evidence is lacking. Recent years have seen a surge of alternative hypotheses to explain progressive extensions and maintenance of recombination suppression: neutral accumulation of sequence divergence, selection of nonrecombining fragments with fewer deleterious mutations than average, sheltering of recessive deleterious mutations by linkage to heterozygous alleles, early evolution of dosage compensation, and constraints on recombination restoration. Here, we explain these recent hypotheses and dissect their assumptions, mechanisms, and predictions. We also review empirical studies that have brought support to the various hypotheses.
期刊介绍:
Launched in 1985, Trends in Genetics swiftly established itself as a "must-read" for geneticists, offering concise, accessible articles covering a spectrum of topics from developmental biology to evolution. This reputation endures, making TiG a cherished resource in the genetic research community. While evolving with the field, the journal now embraces new areas like genomics, epigenetics, and computational genetics, alongside its continued coverage of traditional subjects such as transcriptional regulation, population genetics, and chromosome biology.
Despite expanding its scope, the core objective of TiG remains steadfast: to furnish researchers and students with high-quality, innovative reviews, commentaries, and discussions, fostering an appreciation for advances in genetic research. Each issue of TiG presents lively and up-to-date Reviews and Opinions, alongside shorter articles like Science & Society and Spotlight pieces. Invited from leading researchers, Reviews objectively chronicle recent developments, Opinions provide a forum for debate and hypothesis, and shorter articles explore the intersection of genetics with science and policy, as well as emerging ideas in the field. All articles undergo rigorous peer-review.