Y chromosome Flashcards
How many base pairs does the haploid autosomal nuclear DNA have?
3,2 billion bp (giga bp)
How many bases does the mtDNA have?
16 569 base pairs
What determines sex?
- 7-8 weeks embryo - development of reproductive duct system
- SRY gene (testis determination factor) - undifferentiated gonad –> testis
- testis development - secretion of testosterone - external male genitalia
- Müllerian inhibiting hormone (MIH) = a hormone produced by testis –> breakdown of Müllerian (female) ducts in embryo
why does the Y chromosome look the way it does?
It occured in four evolutionary steps, each involving a failure or recombination:
- from nascent to as in monotremes: recombination failure leading to deneration and shrinkage of the affected Y chromosome part; the affected area is no longer able to recombine with the X chromosome
- from as in monotremes to as in marsupials: recombination failure triggering more decay of Y chromosome
- from marsupials to as in monkeys: recombination failure, further shortening
- from as in monkeys to as in humans: further shrinkage
- SRY moved to short arm at unkown time point
Name some characteristics of the Y chromosome
- haploid
- is acrocentric (one short and one longer arm)
- contains many repetitive DNA seqences
- 60MB long
- unique for men
- paternally unchanged inherited
- mutations may cause changes
- 95% do not undergo recombination
- pseudoautosomal PAR region
- PAR1 and 2 undergo recombination during meiosis
How many genes does the Y chromosome contain?
78 genes, whereof:
- SRY gene
- 8 other genes specific for Y chromosome
- 27 Y-specific protein coding genes
- 16 housekeeping genes
- MSY - male specific regions on the Y chromosome
Why is there such a low number of genes on the Y chromosome?
Because there is no recombination
Why can mutations easily be passed on to the next generation?
Because there is no correction of genes since there is no chromosome cross-linking
How does the Y chromosome get rid of mutations?
- 8 genetic palindromes
- forward or reversed order
- 1/4 euchromatic DNA in the male genes
- a sort of back up
Y STRs
- most found on the q arm
- approximately 300 Y-STRs
- 200 billalic Y SNPs
- 1 minisatellite MSY1
what is the Y chromosome used for?
- tracing male migration patterns
- evolutionary studies
- population structure
- human identification
- forensic applications
How many markers should be used according to SWGDAM?
11
(9 minimal plus two more)
Name some Y-STRs
- DYS19
- DYS389I
- DYS389II
- DYS390
- DYS391
- DYS392
- DYS393
- DYS438
- DYS439
- DYS385a/b
What are the advantages of using a multiplex of several markers?
- several markers are amplified simutaneously –> one standard
- cross border comarison possible
- smaller amounts of DNA are used –> saving of sample material
Name two commercial kits
PowerPlex Y and AmpflSTR Yfiler