The non-Mendelian behavior of plant B chromosomes.

B chromosomes, also known as supernumerary chromosomes, are dispensable elements in the genome of many plants, animals, and fungi. Many B chromosomes have evolved one or more drive mechanisms to transmit themselves at a higher frequency than predicted by Mendelian genetics, and these mechanisms counteract the tendency of non-essential genetic elements to be lost over time. The frequency of Bs in a population results from a balance between their effect on host fitness and their transmission rate. Here, we will summarize the findings of the drive process of plant B chromosomes, focusing on maize and rye. © 2022. The Author(s).

Citation

Jianyong Chen, James A Birchler, Andreas Houben. The non-Mendelian behavior of plant B chromosomes. Chromosome research : an international journal on the molecular, supramolecular and evolutionary aspects of chromosome biology. 2022 Sep;30(2-3):229-239

Mesh Tags

PMID: 35412169

search → result