The tra-1 gene determines sexual phenotype cell-autonomously in C. elegans.
The tra-1 gene plays a central role in C. elegans sex determination. XX animals develop as hermaphrodites when tra-1 is active and as males when it is not. By analyzing a large number of tra-1 genetic mosaics we have shown that, with the expected exception of vulval induction by the hermaphrodite gonad, tra-1 functions cell-autonomously, consistent with a role as an intracellular component of a signaling pathway. Moreover, all the sexual differentiation genes under tra-1 control must also function cell-autonomously. Our results have additional implications for several aspects of postembryonic development, including mechanisms of sex-specific directed cell migrations and the question of an organizer in the male tail.
Hunter
C P
CP
Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder 80309.
Wood
W B
WB
D000818:Animals; D002107:Caenorhabditis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D002999:Clone Cells; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development; D005260:Female; D005796:Genes; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009030:Mosaicism; D010641:Phenotype; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D012732:Sex Determination Analysis; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000235:genetics
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014819:Vitellogenins