A Bkm-associated human y-chromosomal DNA is conserved and transcribed in the testis of mouse.
Y chromosome associated genes and repetitive sequences are continually viewed from the point of view of their possible involvement in sex determination and in the evolution of such a mechanism, thus sustaining an interest in the identification of novel sequences to gain newer insights. Here we have used the highly conserved class of Bkm repeats to isolate its associated sequences from the Y chromosome under the assumption that these sequences could be involved in sex determination and might also reflect the evolutionary status of the Y chromosome. Towards this end we have screened a genomic library enriched with human Y chromosome DNA with Bkm. One of the positive clones, C65, has a pericentromeric location on the Y chromosome and is present in a number of human sex-reversed XX males. The 10.5kb insert of clone C65 has been further subcloned (pFI, pFII, pFIII, pFIV). The subclone pFIII is present in both sexes in human and mouse, whereas pFIV is primate specific and present in both sexes. pFII contains sequences homologous to Bkm. pFI is conserved in mouse and man, but is Y specific only in primates. Although present in both sexes in mouse, pFI is transcribed specifically in the male testis suggesting that it may be involved in the process of sex determination or testis differentiation and spermatogenesis.
Rajyashri
K R
KR
Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad 500 007, India.
Singh
L
L
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D015698:Genomic Library; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012729:Sex Chromosome Aberrations; D013045:Species Specificity; D013737:Testis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014998:Y Chromosome / Q000235:genetics*
D005819:Genetic Markers