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The role of repetitive DNA in structure and evolution of sex chromosomes in plants

2009; Springer Nature; Volume: 102; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1038/hdy.2009.17

1365-2540

Eduard Kejnovský, Roman Hobza, Tomáš Čermák, Zdeněk Kubát, Boris Vyskot,

Plant Reproductive Biology

Eukaryotic genomes contain a large proportion of repetitive DNA sequences, mostly transposable elements (TEs) and tandem repeats. These repetitive sequences often colonize specific chromosomal (Y or W chromosomes, B chromosomes) or subchromosomal (telomeres, centromeres) niches. Sex chromosomes, especially non-recombining regions of the Y chromosome, are subject to different evolutionary forces compared with autosomes. In non-recombining regions of the Y chromosome repetitive DNA sequences are accumulated, representing a dominant and early process forming the Y chromosome, probably before genes start to degenerate. Here we review the occurrence and role of repetitive DNA in Y chromosome evolution in various species with a focus on dioecious plants. We also discuss the potential link between recombination and transposition in shaping genomes.