Genomic Evidence For A Large-Z Effect

Main Category: Genetics
Also Included In: Biology / Biochemistry;  Veterinary
Article Date: 02 Oct 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Sex chromosomes are important for many aspects of biology, not least for organisms' ability to form two very different phenotypes (males and females) from the otherwise same genome.

The present work shows that sex chromosomes have some particular importance in systems where it is the female who has two different sex chromosomes (in contrast to humans, where males have the X and Y).

Birds represent an example of organisms of the former category and it is found that those genes that have been particularly important during avian evolution are are mainly located on the sex chromosomes.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

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