title: Detection of a male-specific sequence in nonhuman primates through use of the polymerase chain reaction.
abstract: Sex-specific DNA sequences are useful for detecting and monitoring chimerism in transplant recipients that had received sex-mismatched donor cells. Nonhuman primates are often used as experimental transplant models because of their evolutionary proximity, and the similarity of their physical characteristics, to those of humans. Unfortunately, DNA-based molecular detection strategies to monitor engraftment in sex-mismatched transplants in monkeys and baboons have not been available. We describe development of a polymerase chain reaction-based assay to detect a 174-bp male-specific sequence present in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) and olive baboon (Papio cynocephalus). The assay is sufficiently sensitive to allow detection of 10 male cells against a background of 10(4) female cells. Human sequence is not amplified under the described assay conditions. The amplified DNA sequence is 82% homologous to a sequence located near the testis-determining factor locus in the human genome, suggesting a high degree of evolutionary conservation in this region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine 94143-0808.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Reitsma
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pallavicini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010215:Papio / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012727:Sex Characteristics
chemical_list: D004247:DNA