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Comparative mapping of SRY in the great apes
R Toder1, S Zeitler, P N Goodfellow
1Institut für Humangenetik und Anthropologie, Universität Freiburg, Germany.
Summary
Great ape Y chromosomes show conserved regions, including the pseudoautosomal and testis-determining regions. However, other Y chromosome segments have undergone significant rearrangements during hominid evolution.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Primate Genomics
Background:
- Cytogenetic studies indicate substantial rearrangements in primate Y chromosomes during great ape evolution.
- Understanding these evolutionary changes at a molecular level is crucial for primate genetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To molecularly define Y chromosome rearrangements in great apes using in situ hybridization.
- To identify conserved and rearranged regions within the Y chromosome across different great ape species.
Main Methods:
- In situ hybridization was employed to map specific DNA sequences on primate Y chromosomes.
- Probes pHU-14 (containing SRY gene sequences) and Fr35-II (a low copy repeat) were utilized.
Main Results:
- The pHU-14 probe, including sex-determining gene SRY sequences, localized to telomeric/subtelomeric regions near the pseudoautosomal segment in all great apes.
- The Fr35-II probe indicated involvement of low copy repeats in Y chromosomal rearrangements during hominid evolution.
- A conserved region encompassing the pseudoautosomal region and testis-determining region was identified on the great ape Y chromosome.
Conclusions:
- The Y chromosome in great apes possesses conserved genetic regions essential for sex determination and recombination.
- Significant evolutionary rearrangements have occurred in other parts of the Y chromosome across different great ape lineages.