Multicopy genes uniquely amplified in the Y chromosome-specific repeats of the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha

Nucleic Acids Res. 2002 Nov 1;30(21):4675-81. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkf604.

Abstract

Sex of the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha is determined by the sex chromosomes Y and X, in male and female plant, respectively. Approximately half of the Y chromosome is made up of unique repeat sequences. Here, we report that part of the Y chromosome, represented by a 90-kb insert of a genomic clone pMM2D3, contains five putative genes in addition to the ORF162 gene, which is present also within the Y chromosome-specific repeat region. One of the five putative genes shows similarity to a male gamete-specific protein of lily and is expressed predominantly in male sex organs, suggesting that this gene has a male reproductive function. Furthermore, Southern blot analysis revealed that these five putative genes are amplified on the Y chromosome, but they also probably have homologs on the X chromosome and/or autosomes. These observations suggest that the Y chromosome evolved by co-amplifying protein-coding genes with unique repeat sequences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Chromosomes, Plant / genetics*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Gene Amplification*
  • Gene Dosage*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Genes, Plant / genetics*
  • Hepatophyta / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multigene Family / genetics
  • Open Reading Frames / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA, Plant / analysis
  • RNA, Plant / genetics
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid / genetics*
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Y Chromosome / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Plant Proteins
  • RNA, Plant

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF542555
  • GENBANK/AF542556
  • GENBANK/AF542557
  • GENBANK/AF542558
  • GENBANK/AF542559
  • GENBANK/AF542560