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The tricky path to recombining X and Y chromosomes in meiosis
Author(s) -
Kauppi Liisa,
Jasin Maria,
Keeney Scott
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06593.x
Subject(s) - pseudoautosomal region , meiosis , genetics , biology , homologous chromosome , x chromosome , chromosome segregation , y chromosome , meiotic drive , homologous recombination , synapsis , klinefelter syndrome , chromosomal crossover , pairing , chromosome , ectopic recombination , recombination , genetic recombination , evolutionary biology , gene , physics , superconductivity , quantum mechanics , endocrinology
Sex chromosomes are the Achilles' heel of male meiosis in mammals. Mis‐segregation of the X and Y chromosomes leads to sex chromosome aneuploidies, with clinical outcomes such as infertility and Klinefelter syndrome. Successful meiotic divisions require that all chromosomes find their homologous partner and achieve recombination and pairing. Sex chromosomes in males of many species have only a small region of homology (the pseudoautosomal region, PAR) that enables pairing. Until recently, little was known about the dynamics of recombination and pairing within mammalian X and Y PARs. Here, we review our recent findings on PAR behavior in mouse meiosis. We uncovered unexpected differences between autosomal chromosomes and the X–Y chromosome pair, namely that PAR recombination and pairing occurs later, and is under different genetic control. These findings imply that spermatocytes have evolved distinct strategies that ensure successful X–Y recombination and chromosome segregation.