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Modern humans evolved a 'selfish' X chromosome after Africa exodus

The chromosome may contain regions that promote their DNA's spread by killing sperm that carry Y chromosomes. However, Y chromosomes may have evolved counter mechanisms over time

By Michael Le Page

23 November 2022

Modern humans that had not long left Africa may have evolved an X chromosome that carried

Some modern humans that had not long left Africa may have evolved an X chromosome that carried “selfish” DNA

SCIEPRO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Around 50,000 years ago, a new X chromosome appears to have been introduced into modern humans that had not long left Africa.

There was probably exceptionally strong selection for聽parts of this chromosome because, today, most people of聽less-recent African ancestry have inherited those regions.

at Aarhus University in Denmark, who led the research, thinks these聽regions may contain bits of聽so-called selfish DNA that promote their own spread by聽killing sperm that carry…

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