title: Human sex determination.
abstract: Human sex determination is a fascinating topic, particularly at the level of molecular genetics, as it represents an excellent paradigm for mammalian organ development. Recent progress has seen the addition of several new pieces to this developmental jigsaw puzzle. In mammals, the Y chromosome is male determining, and encodes a gene referred to as TDF (testis-determining factor), which induces the indifferent embryonic gonad to develop as a testis. Subsequent male sexual differentiation is largely a consequence of hormonal secretion from the testis. In the absence of the Y chromosome, the testis-determining pathway fails to be initiated, and the embryonic gonad develops as an ovary, resulting in female development. (Ford et al. [1959] Lancet i:711; Jacobs and Strong [1959] Nature, 183:302-303; Jost et al. [1973] Rec. Prog. Horm. Res., 29:1-41).
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Sinclair
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D057137:DAX-1 Orphan Nuclear Receptor; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development; D005260:Female; D051717:Fushi Tarazu Transcription Factors; D006066:Gonads / Q000502:physiology; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000235:genetics; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D019849:Sex Determination Processes; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D025721:WT1 Proteins; D014960:X Chromosome / Q000235:genetics; D014998:Y Chromosome / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D057137:DAX-1 Orphan Nuclear Receptor; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D051717:Fushi Tarazu Transcription Factors; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C539965:NR0B1 protein, human; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; D014157:Transcription Factors; D025721:WT1 Proteins