Molecular determinants of mammmalian sex.
Mammalian male sex determination is controlled by a complex hierarchy of gene regulatory proteins and hormones, which promote male gonadal development and regression of the female primordia. At the core of this pathway lies the SRY protein, the master developmental switch for testicular differentiation and hence, the male sex. The three-dimensional structure of the SRY-DNA complex suggests a model of developmental gene regulation in which proteins that alter DNA structure and promote the assembly of higher-order nucleoprotein complexes play an essential role in the timing of cell specialization events.
Werner
M H
MH
Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-0520, USA.
Huth
J R
JR
Gronenborn
A M
AM
Clore
G M
GM
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006066:Gonads / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008322:Mammals; D051379:Mice; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000502:physiology; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012732:Sex Determination Analysis; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D025721:WT1 Proteins
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor; C527932:SOX9 protein, human; C497745:SRY protein, human; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein; C527933:Sox9 protein, mouse; C497746:Sry protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors; D025721:WT1 Proteins