Divergent outcomes of genetic conflict on the UV sex chromosomes of Marchantia polymorpha and Ceratodon purpureus

Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2023 Oct 19;83:102129. doi: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102129. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTIn species with separate sexes, the genome must produce two distinct developmental programs. Sexually dimorphic development may be controlled by either sex-limited loci or biased expression of loci transmitted through both sexes. Variation in the gene content of sex-limited chromosomes demonstrates that eukaryotic species differ markedly in the roles of these two mechanisms in governing sexual dimorphism. The bryophyte model systems Marchantia polymorpha and Ceratodon purpureus provide a particularly striking contrast. Although both species possess a haploid UV sex chromosome system, in which females carry a U chromosome and males carry a V, M. polymorpha relies on biased autosomal expression, while in C. purpureus, sex-linked genes drive dimorphism. Framing these genetic architectures as divergent outcomes of genetic conflict highlights comparative genomic analyses to better understand the evolution of sexual dimorphism.PMID:37864936 | DOI:10.1016/j.gde.2023.102129

Source: Current Opinion in Genetics and Development - October 21, 2023 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Stuart F McDaniel Source Type: research