An evolutionary consequence of dosage compensation on Drosophila melanogaster female X-chromatin structure?

BMC Genomics. 2010 Jan 5:11:6. doi: 10.1186/1471-2164-11-6.

Abstract

Background: X chromosomes are subject to dosage compensation in Drosophila males. Dosage compensation requires cis sequence features of the X chromosome that are present in both sexes by definition and trans acting factors that target chromatin modifying machinery to the X specifically in males. The evolution of this system could result in neutral X chromatin changes that will be apparent in females.

Results: We find that the general chromatin structure of female X chromosomes is distinct from autosomes. Additionally, specific histone marks associated with dosage compensation and active chromatin marks on the male X chromosome are also enriched on the X chromosomes of females, albeit to a lesser degree.

Conclusions: Our data indicate that X chromatin structure is fundamentally different from autosome structure in both sexes. We suggest that the differences between the X chromosomes and autosomes in females are a consequence of mechanisms that have evolved to ensure sufficient X chromosome expression in the soma of males.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatin / chemistry*
  • Chromatin / genetics*
  • Dosage Compensation, Genetic*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / chemistry*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Female
  • Histones / analysis
  • Male
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • X Chromosome*

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Histones