Y-chromosome variation in great apes

A complete lack of variation in the sex-determination gene ZFY within species of hominids (great apes and humans) contrasts sharply with the high levels of polymorphism found in mitochondrial DNA sequences from these species. We have sequenced the third intron of the ZFY gene in male individuals fro...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inNature (London) Vol. 385; no. 6612; pp. 125 - 126
Main Authors Burrows, Wes, Ryder, Oliver A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Nature Publishing Group 09.01.1997
Subjects
Animals
DNA, Mitochondrial - genetics
DNA-Binding Proteins - genetics
Evolution, Molecular
Genetic Variation
Gorilla gorilla gorilla
Gorilla gorilla graueri
Hominidae - genetics
Humans
Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
Male
Pan paniscus
Pan troglodytes
Pongo pygmaeus abelii
Primates
Transcription Factors
Y Chromosome
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:A complete lack of variation in the sex-determination gene ZFY within species of hominids (great apes and humans) contrasts sharply with the high levels of polymorphism found in mitochondrial DNA sequences from these species. We have sequenced the third intron of the ZFY gene in male individuals from the three subspecies of gorilla, the two orang-utan subspecies, and the chimpanzee, and compared these with published sequences from apes and humans. Although there is divergence in the nucleotide sequence between these species, we found no intraspecific variation. Our new evidence suggests that in gorillas, and probably in other great apes, this disparity is due to selection acting on the ZFY gene or a closely linked locus.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
content type line 23
SourceType-Other Sources-1
content type line 63
ObjectType-Correspondence-1
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/385125a0