Genetic conflict and evolution of mammalian X-chromosome inactivation

The existence of parentally imprinted gene expression in the somatic tissues of mammals and plants can be explained by a theory of intragenomic genetic conflict, which is a logical extension of classical parent-offspring conflict theory. This theory unites conceptually the phenomena of autosomal imprinting and X-chromosome inactivation. We argue that recent experimental studies of X-chromosome inactivation and androgenetic development address previously published predictions of the conflict theory, and we discuss possible explanations for the occurrence of random X-inactivation in the somatic tissues of eutherians.