Rapid Evolution of Genes on the Human X‐chromosome

Owing to sex chromosome-specific modes of natural selection, genes on the human X-chromosome are evolving rapidly in comparison to genes located on autosomes. Biological factors additional to selection could contribute to these elevated rates, including evolutionary history and genomic features of the X-chromosome. Furthermore, genes on the X are distributed in a nonrandom fashion, potentially influencing their evolution. Finally, the function and expression of each X-linked gene may play a role in determining its evolutionary rate.

Keywords: sex chromosomes; positive selection; sex-biased genes

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Kvikstad, Erika M, and Makova, Kateryna D(May 2008) Rapid Evolution of Genes on the Human X‐chromosome. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0020858]