Y and W Chromosome Assemblies: Approaches and Discoveries

Hundreds of vertebrate genomes have been sequenced and assembled to date. However, most sequencing projects have ignored the sex chromosomes unique to the heterogametic sex – Y and W – that are known as sex-limited chromosomes (SLCs). Indeed, haploid and repetitive Y chromosomes in species with male...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in genetics Vol. 33; no. 4; pp. 266 - 282
Main Authors: Tomaszkiewicz, Marta, Medvedev, Paul, Makova, Kateryna D.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2017
Subjects:
Animals
assembly
Evolution, Molecular
Female
Genome
heterogamety
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
Male
Medical Education
sex chromosomes
Sex Chromosomes - genetics
sex determination
Sex Determination Processes
W chromosome
Y chromosome
Y Chromosome - genetics
assembly
heterogamety
W chromosome
sex chromosomes
sex determination
Y chromosome
ISSN:0168-9525
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Hundreds of vertebrate genomes have been sequenced and assembled to date. However, most sequencing projects have ignored the sex chromosomes unique to the heterogametic sex – Y and W – that are known as sex-limited chromosomes (SLCs). Indeed, haploid and repetitive Y chromosomes in species with male heterogamety (XY), and W chromosomes in species with female heterogamety (ZW), are difficult to sequence and assemble. Nevertheless, obtaining their sequences is important for understanding the intricacies of vertebrate genome function and evolution. Recent progress has been made towards the adaptation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques to deciphering SLC sequences. We review here currently available methodology and results with regard to SLC sequencing and assembly. We focus on vertebrates, but bring in some examples from other taxa. NGS technology and advances in assembly algorithms allow researchers to decipher chromosomes Y and W, the most challenging parts of vertebrate genomes to sequence and assemble. The rapidly accumulating data accelerate discoveries related to the evolution and structure of these chromosomes, suggesting that they are much more varied among vertebrate species than was previously realized. Y and W chromosome data are being used to trace the divergence of male- and female-specific lineages. Novel technology makes it possible to generate population-scale sequencing data for these chromosomes and to study their diversity.
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ISSN:0168-9525
DOI:10.1016/j.tig.2017.01.008