Sex reversal in the mouse (Mus musculus) is caused by a recurrent nonreciprocal crossover involving the x and an aberrant y chromosome.
Satellite DNA (Bkm) from the W sex-determining chromosome of snakes, which is related to sequences on the mouse Y chromosome, has been used to analyze the DNA and chromosomes of sex-reversed (Sxr) XXSxr male mice. Such mice exhibit a male-specific Southern blot Bkm hybridization pattern, consistent with the presence of Y-chromosome DNA. In situ hybridization of Bkm to chromosomes of XXSxr mice shows an aberrant concentration of related sequences on the distal terminus of a large mouse chromosome. The XYSxr carrier male, however, shows a pair of small chromosomes, which are presumed to be aberrant Y derivatives. Meiosis in the XYSxr mouse involves transfer of chromatin rich in Bkm-related DNA from the Y-Y1 complex to the X distal terminus. We suggest that this event is responsible for the transmission of the Sxr trait.
D000818:Animals; D002503:Centromere; D004276:DNA, Satellite / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis; D051379:Mice / Q000235:genetics*; D008938:Mitosis; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012730:Sex Chromosomes / Q000502:physiology*; D012732:Sex Determination Analysis
D004276:DNA, Satellite