Sex determination in Drosophila melanogaster: X-linked genes involved in the initial step of sex-lethal activation.
Sex determination is the commitment of an embryo to either the female or the male developmental pathway. The ratio of X chromosomes to sets of autosomes is the primary genetic signal that determines sex in Drosophila, by triggering the functional state of the gene Sex-lethal: in females (2X;2A) Sxl will be ON, whereas in males (X;2A) Sxl will be OFF. Genetic and molecular studies have defined a set of genes involved in the formation of the X:A signal, as well as other genes, with either maternal or zygotic effects, which are also involved in regulating the initial step of Sex-lethal activation. We review these data and present new data on two more regions of the X chromosome that define other genes needed for Sxl activation. In addition, we report on the interaction between some of the genes regulating Sxl activation.
Sánchez
L
L
Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Velázquez, Madrid, Spain.
Granadino
B
B
Torres
M
M
D000818:Animals; D050976:Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004303:Dosage Compensation, Genetic; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005804:Genes, Lethal; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D014960:X Chromosome
D050976:Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D007301:Insect Hormones; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; C067777:Sxl protein, Drosophila; D014157:Transcription Factors; C080833:run protein, Drosophila; C083170:sisA protein, Drosophila