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Hypervariable telomeric sequences from the human sex chromosomes are pseudoautosomal

Nature volume 317, pages 687–692 (1985)Cite this article

A Corrigendum to this article was published on 01 December 1985

Abstract

Pairing of human X and Y chromosomes during meiosis initiates within the so–called pairing region at the telomeres or the chromosome short arms. Using DNA from the Y chromosome we found sequence homology in the pairing region of the human X and Y chromosomes. This DNA is telomeric, contains repetitive sequences and is highly polymorphic in the population. The polymorphism has allowed family studies which show the sequences are not inherited as though linked to the sex chromosomes. This ‘pseudoautosoma’ pattern of inheritance points to an obligate recombination in the pairing region of the sex chromosomes during male meiosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MRC Mammalian Genome Unit, King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JT, UK

    Howard J. Cooke, William R. A. Brown & Gudrun A. Rappold

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  1. Howard J. Cooke
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  2. William R. A. Brown
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  3. Gudrun A. Rappold
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Cooke, H., Brown, W. & Rappold, G. Hypervariable telomeric sequences from the human sex chromosomes are pseudoautosomal. Nature 317, 687–692 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/317687a0

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