The impact of endosymbionts on the evolution of host sex-determination mechanisms.
Trends Genet
; 27(8): 332-41, 2011 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21663992
ABSTRACT
The past years have revealed that inherited bacterial endosymbionts are important sources of evolutionary novelty for their eukaryotic hosts. In this review we discuss a fundamental biological process of eukaryotes influenced by bacterial endosymbionts the mechanisms of sex determination. Because they are maternally inherited, several endosymbionts of arthropods, known as reproductive parasites, have developed strategies to convert non-transmitting male hosts into transmitting females through feminization of genetic males and parthenogenesis induction. Recent investigations have also highlighted that endosymbionts can impact upon host sex determination more subtly through genetic conflicts, resulting in selection of host nuclear genes resisting endosymbiont effects. Paradoxically, it is because of their selfish nature that reproductive parasites are such powerful agents of evolutionary change in their host sex-determination mechanisms. They might therefore represent excellent models for studying transitions between sex-determining systems and, more generally, the evolution of sex-determination mechanisms in eukaryotes.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Simbiose
/
Processos de Determinação Sexual
/
Evolução Biológica
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Trends Genet
Assunto da revista:
GENETICA
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
França