New Insights into the Regulation of Mammalian Sex Determination and Male Sex Differentiation

2005 ◽  
pp. 387-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert S. Viger ◽  
David W. Silversides ◽  
Jacques J. Tremblay
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Male Sex

scholarly journals DNA Methylation Reprogramming during Sex Determination and Transition in Zebrafish

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinxin Wang ◽  
Xin Ma ◽  
Gaobo Wei ◽  
Weirui Ma ◽  
Zhen Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Sex Determination ◽  
Sexual Development ◽  
Epigenetic Modification ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Adult Zebrafish ◽  
Germline Development ◽  
Male Sex

AbstractIt is a mystery about sex determination and sexual plasticity in species without sex chromosomes. DNA methylation is a prevalent epigenetic modification in vertebrates, which has been shown to involve in the regulation of gene expression and embryo development. However, it remains unclear about how DNA methylation regulates sexual development. To elucidate it, we used zebrafish to investigate DNA methylation reprogramming during juvenile germ cell development and adult female-to-male sex transition. We revealed that primordial germ cells (PGCs) undergo significant DNA methylation reprogramming during germline development and set to an oocyte/ovary-like pattern at 9 days post fertilization (9 dpf). When blocking DNMTs activity in juveniles after 9 dpf, the zebrafish preferably develops into females. We also show that Tet3 involves in PGC development. Notably, we find that DNA methylome reprogramming during adult zebrafish sex transition is similar to the reprogramming during the sex differentiation from 9 dpf PGCs to sperm. Furthermore, inhibiting DNMTs activity can prevent the female-to-male sex transition, suggesting that methylation reprogramming is required for zebrafish sex transition. In summary, DNA methylation plays important roles in zebrafish germline development and sexual plasticity.

Sex determination in mice: Y and chromosome 17 interactions

Development ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 101 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 25-32
Author(s):  
Robert P. Erickson ◽  
Edward J. Durbin ◽  
Laura L. Tres
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Y Chromosome ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Specific Antigen ◽  
Inbred Strains ◽  
Chromosome 17 ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
Male Specific ◽  
Type Chromosome

Mice provide material for studies of Y-chromosomal and autosomal sequences involved in sex determination. Eicher and coworkers have identified four subregions in the mouse Y chromosome, one of which corresponds to the Sxr fragment. This fragment demonstrates that only a small portion of the Y is necessary for male sex determination. The mouse Y chromosome also shows variants: the BALB/cWt Y chromosome, which causes nondisjunction of the Y in some germ cells leading to XO and XYY cells and resulting in many infertile true hermaphrodites; the YDom, a wild-type chromosome which can result in sex reversal on a C57BL/6J background; and Y-chromosomal variants detected with Y-derived genomic DNA clones among inbred strains. Two different autosomal loci affecting sex differentiation have been identified in the mouse by Eicher and coworkers. The first of these has not been mapped to a particular chromosome and has been designated Tda-1 (Testis-determining autosomal-1). This is the locus in C57BL/6J mice at which animals must be homozygous in order to develop as true hermaphrodites or sex-reversed animals in the presence of YDom. The other locus has been identified on proximal chromosome 17. This locus also caused hermaphrodites on the C57BL/6J background and it is most easily interpreted as a locus deleted in 7hp. It is located in a region on chromosome 17 containing other genes or DNA sequences that may be related to sex determination. These include both the Hye (histocompatibility Y expression) locus that affects the amount of male-specific antigen detected by serological and cell-mediated assays and a concentration of Bkm sequences. Despite the Y and chromosomal 17 localizations of Bkm sequences, there is no evidence that transcripts from these are involved in sex determination: RNA hybridizing to sense and anti-sense Bkm clones can be detected in day-14 fetal gonads of both sexes.

scholarly journals The Role of Anti-Müllerian Hormone in Testis Differentiation Reveals the Significance of the TGF-β Pathway in Reptilian Sex Determination

Genetics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 213 (4) ◽  
pp. 1317-1327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingjie Zhou ◽  
Wei Sun ◽  
Han Cai ◽  
Haisheng Bao ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Sex Reversal ◽  
Testicular Development ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
Specific Expression Pattern ◽  
Reptilian Species

Anti-Müllerian hormone (Amh, or Müllerian-inhibiting substance, Mis), a member of TGF-β superfamily, has been well documented in some vertebrates as initiator or key regulator in sexual development, and particularly in fish. However, its functional role has not yet been identified in reptiles. Here, we characterized the Amh gene in the Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis, a typical reptilian species exhibiting ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes. The messenger RNA of Amh was initially expressed in male embryonic gonads by stage 15, preceding gonadal sex differentiation, and exhibited a male-specific expression pattern throughout embryogenesis. Moreover, Amh was rapidly upregulated during female-to-male sex reversal induced by aromatase inhibitor letrozole. Most importantly, Amh loss of function by RNA interference led to complete feminization of genetic male (ZZ) gonads, suppression of the testicular marker Sox9, and upregulation of the ovarian regulator Cyp19a1. Conversely, overexpression of Amh in ZW embryos resulted in female-to-male sex reversal, characterized by the formation of a testis structure, ectopic activation of Sox9, and a remarkable decline in Cyp19a1. Collectively, these findings provide the first solid evidence that Amh is both necessary and sufficient to drive testicular development in a reptilian species, P. sinensis, highlighting the significance of the TGF-β pathway in reptilian sex determination.

scholarly journals Sex determination in mythology and history

2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ursula Mittwoch
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Sex Chromosome ◽  
Environmental Control ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Unexpected Finding ◽  
Temperature Dependent ◽  
Sex Chromosome Abnormalities ◽  
History Of ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
And Function

The history of ideas on how the sexes became divided spans at least three thousand years. The biblical account of the origin of Eve, and the opinions of the philosophers of classical Greece, have unexpected bearings on present-day ideas. The scientific study of sex determination can be said to have begun in the 17th century with the discovery of spermatozoa, but the origin and function of the "spermatic animalcules" eluded investigators until 1841. The mammalian egg was discovered in 1827, and in the last quarter of the century fertilization was observed. The view current at that time, that sex determination was under environmental control, gave way to the idea of chromosomal determination in the first quarter of the 20th century. The study of human and other mammalian chromosomes during the third quarter of the century, and the discovery of sex-chromosome abnormalities, emphasized the importance of the Y chromosome for male sex determination. The last quarter of the century witnessed a hunt for the "testis-determining" gene, thought to be responsible for the differentiation of Sertoli cells, and culminating in the isolation of SRY (Sry in the mouse). However, an increasing number of additional genes and growth factors were found to be required for the establishment of male sex. During the same period evidence emerged that male development was accompanied by enhanced growth, both of gonads and whole embryos. An unexpected finding was the demonstration of temperature-dependent sex determination in reptiles. With the advent of the 21st century, it was shown that Sry induces cell proliferation in fetal mouse gonads, and it has been suggested that male sex differentiation in mammals requires a higher metabolic rate. These insights could lead to a better understanding and improved treatment of abnormalities of sexual development.

scholarly journals Metabolism and Sex Differentiation in Animals from a Starvation Perspective

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Yuta Sakae ◽  
Minoru Tanaka
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Green Light ◽  
Acid Synthesis ◽  
Sex Reversal ◽  
Environmental Sex Determination ◽  
Biological Factors ◽  
Signal Transducers ◽  
Male Sex

Animals determine their sex genetically (GSD: genetic sex determination) and/or environmentally (ESD: environmental sex determination). Medaka (<i>Oryzias latipes</i>) employ a XX/XY GSD system, however, they display female-to-male sex reversal in response to various environmental changes such as temperature, hypoxia, and green light. Interestingly, we found that 5 days of starvation during sex differentiation caused female-to-male sex reversal. In this situation, the metabolism of pantothenate and fatty acid synthesis plays an important role in sex reversal. Metabolism is associated with other biological factors such as germ cells, HPG axis, lipids, and epigenetics, and supplys substances and acts as signal transducers. In this review, we discuss the importance of metabolism during sex differentiation and how metabolism contributes to sex differentiation.

scholarly journals Transcriptional Regulation of the Y-Linked Mammalian Testis-Determining Gene SRY

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Naoki Okashita ◽  
Makoto Tachibana
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Disorders Of Sex Development ◽  
Sex Reversal ◽  
Cis Acting ◽  
Male Development ◽  
Sex Development ◽  
Epigenetic Modifier ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
Testis Determining Gene

Mammalian male sex differentiation is triggered during embryogenesis by the activation of the Y-linked testis-determining gene <i>SRY</i>. Since insufficient or delayed expression of <i>SRY</i> results in XY gonadal sex reversal, accurate regulation of <i>SRY</i> is critical for male development in XY animals. In humans, dysregulation of <i>SRY</i> may cause disorders of sex development. Mouse <i>Sry</i> is the most intensively studied mammalian model of sex determination. <i>Sry</i> expression is controlled in a spatially and temporally stringent manner. Several transcription factors play a key role in sex determination as trans-acting factors for <i>Sry</i> expression. In addition, recent studies have shown that several epigenetic modifications of <i>Sry</i> are involved in sex determination as cis-acting factors for <i>Sry</i> expression. Herein, we review the current understanding of transcription factor- and epigenetic modifier-mediated regulation of <i>SRY</i>/<i>Sry</i> expression.

Sex determination and Y chromosome constitutive heterochromatin

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Abyt Ibraimov
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Y Chromosome ◽  
Constitutive Heterochromatin ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Secondary Sexual Characteristics ◽  
Biological Meaning ◽  
Heterochromatin Block ◽  
Sexual Characteristics ◽  
Open Question ◽  
Efficient Elimination

In many animals, including us, the genetic sex is determined at fertilization by sex chromosomes. Seemingly, the sex determination (SD) in human and animals is determined by the amount of constitutive heterochromatin on Y chromosome via cell thermoregulation. It is assumed the medulla and cortex tissue cells in the undifferentiated embryonic gonads (UEG) differ in vulnerability to the increase of the intracellular temperature. If the amount of the Y chromosome constitutive heterochromatin is enough for efficient elimination of heat difference between the nucleus and cytoplasm in rapidly growing UEG cells the medulla tissue survives. Otherwise it doomed to degeneration and a cortex tissue will remain in the UEG. Regardless of whether our assumption is true or not, it remains an open question why on Y chromosome there is a large constitutive heterochromatin block? What is its biological meaning? Does it relate to sex determination, sex differentiation and development of secondary sexual characteristics? If so, what is its mechanism: chemical or physical? There is no scientifically sound answer to these questions.

scholarly journals Identification of sex differentiation-related microRNA and long non-coding RNA in Takifugu rubripes gonads

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongwei Yan ◽  
Qi Liu ◽  
Jieming Jiang ◽  
Xufang Shen ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Mature Mirnas ◽  
Takifugu Rubripes ◽  
Sequencing Technology ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
Differentially Expressed Mirnas ◽  
Tiger Pufferfish ◽  
Long Non Coding Rna

AbstractAlthough sex determination and differentiation are key developmental processes in animals, the involvement of non-coding RNA in the regulation of this process is still not clarified. The tiger pufferfish (Takifugu rubripes) is one of the most economically important marine cultured species in Asia, but analyses of miRNA and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) at early sex differentiation stages have not been conducted yet. In our study, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to sequence transcriptome libraries from undifferentiated gonads of T. rubripes. In total, 231 (107 conserved, and 124 novel) miRNAs were obtained, while 2774 (523 conserved, and 2251 novel) lncRNAs were identified. Of these, several miRNAs and lncRNAs were predicted to be the regulators of the expression of sex-related genes (including fru-miR-15b/foxl2, novel-167, novel-318, and novel-538/dmrt1, novel-548/amh, lnc_000338, lnc_000690, lnc_000370, XLOC_021951, and XR_965485.1/gsdf). Analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs and lncRNAs showed that three mature miRNAs up-regulated and five mature miRNAs were down-regulated in male gonads compared to female gonads, while 79 lncRNAs were up-regulated and 51 were down-regulated. These findings could highlight a group of interesting miRNAs and lncRNAs for future studies and may reveal new insights into the function of miRNAs and lncRNAs in sex determination and differentiation.

A supernumerary “B-sex” chromosome drives male sex determination in the Pachón cavefish, Astyanax mexicanus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boudjema Imarazene ◽  
Kang Du ◽  
Séverine Beille ◽  
Elodie Jouanno ◽  
Romain Feron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Sex Chromosome ◽  
Astyanax Mexicanus ◽  
Male Sex
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