Figure 3.

Satellite evolution. The library model can account for the divergent evolution of species-specific satellite families through independent expansion and contraction of satellite families in diverging species. Concerted evolution occurs via recombinational processes that result in expansions, contractions and homogenizations of tandemly repetitive sequences. Centromere drive is a selfish process in which stronger centromeres preferentially orient towards the egg pole during asymmetric female meiosis. Drive is suppressed when mutation of a centromere-binding protein restores centromere balance, resulting in an arms race between centromeric satellite DNA and centromere proteins.