Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Meiotic recombination is the process by which DNA is exchanged between parental chromosomes during the production of gametes in eukaryotes. This phenomenon has important implications for fertility, genetic diversity and genome stability. Intriguingly, not all regions of the genome are equally susceptible to recombine during meiosis. Instead, in many eukaryotes, recombination events are concentrated in short genomic segments called recombination hotspots. Since the first discovery of recombination hotspots, several theories have emerged to explain their existence. In this review, we discuss the relevance of these theories in regards of recent advances in characterizing the diversity and determinants of fine-scale recombination landscapes. Finally, we outline new research avenues for elucidating the evolutionary origins of recombination hotspots.
Source: PLoS Genetics
Institutions: Lyon 1 Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'État, Laboratoire d'Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés, Ecosystèmes, Biodiversité, Evolution, Université de Rennes, Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, University of Edinburgh, Institut de Génétique Humaine
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,043
Funder: Agence Nationale de la Recherche
OpenAlex ID: W7161736346