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Turner, Joe, Krishna, Ritesh, Van 't Hof, Arjen, Sutton, Elizabeth, Matzen, Kelly and Darby, Alistair (2018) 'The sequence of a male-specific genome region containing the sex determination switch in Aedes aegypti'. Parasites & Vectors, Vol 11, Issue 549.
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s13071-018-3090-3.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (786kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Background
Aedes aegypti is the principal vector of several important arboviruses. Among the methods of vector control to limit transmission of disease are genetic strategies that involve the release of sterile or genetically modified non-biting males, which has generated interest in manipulating mosquito sex ratios. Sex determination in Ae. aegypti is controlled by a non-recombining Y chromosome-like region called the M locus, yet characterisation of this locus has been thwarted by the repetitive nature of the genome. In 2015, an M locus gene named Nix was identified that displays the qualities of a sex determination switch.
Results
With the use of a whole-genome bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library, we amplified and sequenced a ~200 kb region containing the male-determining gene Nix. In this study, we show that Nix is comprised of two exons separated by a 99 kb intron primarily composed of repetitive DNA, especially transposable elements.
Conclusions
Nix, an unusually large and highly repetitive gene, exhibits features in common with Y chromosome genes in other organisms. We speculate that the lack of recombination at the M locus has allowed the expansion of repeats in a manner characteristic of a sex-limited chromosome, in accordance with proposed models of sex chromosome evolution in insects.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | QU Biochemistry > Genetics > QU 460 Genomics. Proteomics QU Biochemistry > Genetics > QU 550 Genetic techniques. PCR. Chromosome mapping QX Parasitology > QX 4 General works QX Parasitology > Insects. Other Parasites > QX 525 Aedes |
| Faculty: Department: | Biological Sciences > Vector Biology Department |
| Digital Object Identifer (DOI): | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-3090-3 |
| Depositing User: | Stacy Murtagh |
| Date Deposited: | 09 Nov 2018 10:18 |
| Last Modified: | 09 Nov 2018 10:18 |
| URI: | https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/9584 |
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