Mathematical models for the evolution of multigene families by unequal crossing over

Abstract
Mathematical models of homologous but unequal crossing-over between sister chromatids are presented. For mispairing by 1 repeat, the evolution of a multigene family by unequal crossing-over can be represented by a linear birth-death process. The fixation rate of 1 repeat in a multigene family is estimated. For mispairing by more than 1 repeat, some approximate results are obtained.