Selfish supernumerary chromosome reveals its origin as a mosaic of host genome and organellar sequences.

ABSTRACT: Supernumerary B chromosomes are optional additions to the basic set of A chromosomes, and occur in all eukaryotic groups. They differ from the basic complement in morphology, pairing behavior, and inheritance and are not required for normal growth and development. The current view is that B chromosomes are parasitic elements comparable to selfish DNA, like transposons. In contrast to transposons, they are autonomously inherited independent of the host genome and have their own mechanisms of mitotic or meiotic drive. Although B chromosomes were first described a century ago, little is known about their origin and molecular makeup. The widely accepted view is that they are derived from fragments of A chromosomes and/or generated in response to interspecific hybridization. Through next-genera

SUBMITTER: Martis MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3421217 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature