The germline nucleus contains a tandem array of six incomplete gene pairs (MTA and MTB), one pair for each mating type. The MTA genes have a common terminal exon (color coded), which is truncated in every gene except mating type II (blue). A complete gene is assembled by joining to the mating type II terminal exon (ribbons). Joining occurs within regions (ribbon width) delineated by polymorphic nucleotides (radial lines). The MTB genes undergo a similar process. Mating type is determined when every incomplete gene pair has been deleted and one complete gene pair remains. See Cervantes, et al., in this issue.
Image Credit: Michael J. Lawson using Circos (M. Krzywinski, http://mkweb.bcgsc.ca/circos/)
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