Is ZFY the sex-determining gene on the human Y chromosome?

1988 ◽  
Vol 322 (1208) ◽  
pp. 155-157 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Y Chromosome ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Zinc Finger Protein ◽  
Related Gene ◽  
Finger Protein ◽  
Determining Factor ◽  
Human Y Chromosome

The sex-determining region of the human Y chromosome contains a gene, ZFY , that encodes a zinc-finger protein. ZFY may prove to be the testis-determining factor. There is a closely related gene, ZFX , on the human X chromosome. In most species of placental mammals, we detect two ZFY -related loci: one on the Y chromosome and one on the X chromosome. However, there are four ZFY -homologous loci in mouse: Zfy-1 and Zfy-2 map to the sex-determining region of the mouse Y chromosome, Zfx is on the mouse X chromosome, and a fourth locus is autosomal.

scholarly journals Localization of murine X and autosomal sequences homologous to the human Y located testis-determining region.

Genetics ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 121 (4) ◽  
pp. 803-809
Author(s):  
M Mitchell ◽  
D Simon ◽  
N Affara ◽  
M Ferguson-Smith ◽  
P Avner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Zinc Finger Protein ◽  
Autosomal Locus ◽  
Testicular Feminization ◽  
Human Sequence ◽  
Finger Protein ◽  
Receptor Locus ◽  
Determining Factor ◽  
Human Y Chromosome

Abstract Recently a candidate gene for the primary testis-determining factor (TDF) encoding a zinc finger protein (ZFY) has been cloned from the human Y chromosome. A highly homologous X-linked copy has also been identified. Using this human sequence it is possible to identify two Y loci, an X and an autosomal locus in the mouse (Zfy-1, Zfy-2, Zfx and Zfa, respectively). Suprisingly ZFY is more homologous to the mouse X and autosomal sequences than it is to either of the Y-linked loci. Both Zfy-1 and Zfy-2 are present in the Sxr region of the Y but Zfy-2 is absent in the Sxr deletion variant Sxrb (or Sxr") suggesting it is not necessary for male determination. Extensive backcross analyses map Zfa to mouse chromosome 10 and Zfx to a 5-cM interval between anonymous X probe MDXS120 and the tabby locus (Ta). We also show that the mouse androgen receptor locus (m-AR) believed to underlie the testicular feminization mutation (Tfm) shows complete linkage to Zfx. Comparative mapping indicates that in man these genes lie in separate conserved DNA segments.

scholarly journals Zinc Finger Protein Zn72D Promotes Productive Splicing of the maleless Transcript

2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (24) ◽  
pp. 8760-8769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen A. Worringer ◽  
Barbara Panning
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Dosage Compensation ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Zinc Finger Protein ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Finger Protein ◽  
Msl Complex

ABSTRACT In organisms with sex chromosomes, dosage compensation equalizes gene expression between the sexes. In Drosophila melanogaster males, the male-specific lethal (MSL) complex of proteins and two noncoding roX RNAs coat the X chromosome, resulting in a twofold transcriptional upregulation to equalize gene expression with that of females. How MSL complex enrichment on the X chromosome is regulated is not well understood. We performed an RNA interference screen to identify new factors required for dosage compensation. Using a Drosophila Schneider S2 cell line in which green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged MSL2 localizes to the X chromosome, we assayed ∼7,200 knockdowns for their effects on GFP-MSL2 distribution. One factor identified is the zinc finger protein Zn72D. In its absence, the MSL complex no longer coats the X chromosome. We demonstrate that Zn72D is required for productive splicing of the transcript for the MSL protein Maleless, explaining the dosage compensation defect. However, Zn72D is required for the viability of both sexes, indicating its functions are not sex specific. Consistent with this, Zn72D colocalizes with elongating RNA polymerase II, implicating it as a more general factor involved in RNA metabolism.

scholarly journals The zinc finger protein CLAMP promotes long-range chromatin interactions that mediate dosage compensation of the Drosophila male X-chromosome

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
William Jordan ◽  
Erica Larschan
Keyword(s):  
Long Range ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Dosage Compensation ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Zinc Finger Protein ◽  
Dimensional Space ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Active Chromatin ◽  
Finger Protein

Abstract Background Drosophila dosage compensation is an important model system for defining how active chromatin domains are formed. The male-specific lethal dosage compensation complex (MSLc) increases transcript levels of genes along the length of the single male X-chromosome to equalize with that expressed from the two female X-chromosomes. The strongest binding sites for MSLc cluster together in three-dimensional space largely independent of MSLc because clustering occurs in both sexes. CLAMP, a non-sex specific, ubiquitous zinc finger protein, binds synergistically with MSLc to enrich the occupancy of both factors on the male X-chromosome. Results Here, we demonstrate that CLAMP promotes the observed three-dimensional clustering of MSLc binding sites. Moreover, the X-enriched CLAMP protein more strongly promotes longer-range three-dimensional interactions on the X-chromosome than autosomes. Genome-wide, CLAMP promotes three-dimensional interactions between active chromatin regions together with other insulator proteins. Conclusion Overall, we define how long-range interactions which are modulated by a locally enriched ubiquitous transcription factor promote hyper-activation of the X-chromosome to mediate dosage compensation.

A genetic method for sex determination in Ovis spp. by interruption of the zinc finger protein, Y-linked (ZFY) gene on the Y chromosome

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 1161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Sheng Zhang ◽  
Ying Chun Du ◽  
Li Rong Sun ◽  
Xu Hai Wang ◽  
Shuai Bing Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Gene Targeting ◽  
Y Chromosome ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Zinc Finger Protein ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis ◽  
Genetic Method ◽  
Finger Protein ◽  
Hu Sheep

The mammalian Y chromosome plays a critical role in spermatogenesis. However, the exact functions of each gene on the Y chromosome have not been completely elucidated, due, in part, to difficulties in gene targeting analysis of the Y chromosome. The zinc finger protein, Y-linked (ZFY) gene was first proposed to be a sex determination factor, although its function in spermatogenesis has recently been elucidated. Nevertheless, ZFY gene targeting analysis has not been performed to date. In the present study, RNA interference (RNAi) was used to generate ZFY-interrupted Hu sheep by injecting short hairpin RNA (shRNA) into round spermatids. The resulting spermatozoa exhibited abnormal sperm morphology, including spermatozoa without tails and others with head and tail abnormalities. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that ZFY mRNA expression was decreased significantly in Hu sheep with interrupted ZFY compared with wild-type Hu sheep. The sex ratio of lambs also exhibited a bias towards females. Together, the experimental strategy and findings of the present study reveal that ZFY also functions in spermatogenesis in Hu sheep and facilitate the use of RNAi in the control of sex in Hu sheep.

scholarly journals The zinc finger protein CLAMP promotes long-range chromatin interactions that mediate dosage compensation of the Drosophila male X-chromosome

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Jordan ◽  
Erica Larschan
Keyword(s):  
Long Range ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Dosage Compensation ◽  
Zinc Finger Protein ◽  
Dimensional Space ◽  
Active Chromatin ◽  
Single Male ◽  
Finger Protein ◽  
Genome Wide

SummaryDrosophila dosage compensation is an important model system for defining how active chromatin domains are formed. The Male-specific lethal dosage compensation complex (MSLc) increases transcript levels of genes along the length of the single male X-chromosome to equalize with that on the two female X-chromosomes. The strongest binding sites for MSLc cluster together in three-dimensional space independent of MSLc because clustering occurs in both sexes. CLAMP, a non-sex specific, ubiquitous zinc finger protein, binds synergistically with MSLc to enrich the occupancy of both factors on the male X-chromosome. Here, we demonstrate that CLAMP promotes the observed clustering of MSLc bindings sites. Genome-wide, CLAMP promotes interactions between active chromatin regions. Moreover, the X-enriched CLAMP protein more strongly promotes longer-range interactions on the X-chromosome than autosomes. Genome-wide, CLAMP promotes interactions between active chromatin regions together with other insulator proteins. Overall, we define how long-range interactions which are modulated by a locally enriched ubiquitous transcription factor promote hyper-activation of the X-chromosome to mediate dosage compensation.

scholarly journals Enhanced chromatin accessibility of the dosage compensated Drosophila male X-chromosome requires the CLAMP zinc finger protein

PLoS ONE ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. e0186855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Urban ◽  
Guray Kuzu ◽  
Sarah Bowman ◽  
Benjamin Scruggs ◽  
Telmo Henriques ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Finger ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Zinc Finger Protein ◽  
Chromatin Accessibility ◽  
Finger Protein
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