Simian Y Chromosomes: species-specific rearrangements of DAZ, RBM, and TSPY versus contiguity of PAR and SRY

• DOI: 10.1007/s003359900730
• Publication Date: 2002-07-25T06:35:22Z
• Authors: Birgitta Gläser; Frank Grützner; Ulrike Willmann; Roscoe Stanyon; Norbert Arnold; Kay Taylor; Wolfgang Rietschel; Sylvia Zeitler; Roland Toder; Werner Schempp
• Keywords: Pseudoautosomal region; Testis determining factor; Simian; Conserved sequence

The three human male specific expressed gene families DAZ, RBM, and TSPY are known to be repetitively clustered in the Y-specific region of the human Y Chromosome (Chr). RBM and TSPY are Y-specifically conserved in simians, whereas DAZ cannot be detected on the Y chromosomes of New World monkeys. The proximity of SRY to the pseudoautosomal region (PAR) is highly conserved and thus most effectively stabilizes the pseudoautosomal boundary on the Y (PABY) in simians. In contrast, the non-recombining part of the Y Chrs, including DAZ, RBM, and TSPY, was exposed to species-specific amplifications, diversifications, and rearrangements. Evolutionary fast fixation of any of these variations was possible as long as they did not interfere with male fertility.