B chromosomes are more frequent in mammals with acrocentric karyotypes: support for the theory of centromeric drive.

ABSTRACT: The chromosomes of mammals tend to be either mostly acrocentric (having one long arm) or mostly bi-armed, with few species having intermediate karyotypes. The theory of centromeric drive suggests that this observation reflects a bias during female meiosis, favouring either more centromeres or fewer, and that the direction of this bias changes frequently over evolutionary time. B chromosomes are selfish genetic elements found in some individuals within some species. B chromosomes are often harmful, but persist because they drive (i.e. they are transmitted more frequently than expected). We predicted that species with mainly acrocentric chromosomes would be more likely to harbour B chromosomes than those with mainly bi-armed chromosomes, because female meiosis would favour more centromeres o

SUBMITTER: Palestis BG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1810000 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature