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Does Sex-Differential Gene Expression Drive Sex-Differential Selection in Humans?

Year: 2024

Type: preprint

Abstract: Sex differences in human transcriptomes have been argued to drive sex-differential natural selection (SDS). Here, we show that previous evidence supporting this hypothesis has been largely unfounded. We develop a new method to test for a genome-wide relationship between sex differences in expression and selection on expression-influencing alleles (eQTLs). We apply it across 39 human tissues and find no evidence for a general relationship. We offer possible explanations for the lack of evidence, including that it is due in part to eQTL ascertainment bias towards sites under weak selection. We conclude that the drivers of ongoing SDS in humans remain to be identified.

Source: bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.23.604672

Authors: Matthew J. Ming, Changde Cheng, Mark Kirkpatrick, Arbel Harpak

Institutions: The University of Texas at Austin, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Language: English

Topic: Genetic and Clinical Aspects of Sex Determination and Chromosomal Abnormalities

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W4400942055

Cites: 37

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Related to: 10