Stochastic Epigenetic Modification and Evolution of Sex Determination in Vertebrates.

ABSTRACT: In this report, we propose a novel mathematical model of the origin and evolution of sex determination in vertebrates that is based on the stochastic epigenetic modification (SEM) mechanism. We have previously shown that SEM, with rates consistent with experimental observation, can both increase the rate of gene fixation and decrease pseudogenization, thus dramatically improving the efficacy of evolution. Here, we present a conjectural model of the origin and evolution of sex determination wherein the SEM mechanism alone is sufficient to parsimoniously trigger and guide the evolution of heteromorphic sex chromosomes from the initial homomorphic chromosome configuration, without presupposing any allele frequency differences. Under this theoretical model, the SEM mechanism (i) predated verte

SUBMITTER: Branciamore S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11646274 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature