title: Genetic control of gonadal differentiation.
abstract: The study of naturally occurring mutations in humans and induced mutations in mice that cause sex reversal has been instrumental in the cloning and functional analysis of genes involved in gonadal differentiation. Several genes required for this complex developmental process have now been identified. The genes LIM1, WT1 and FTZ-F1 have been demonstrated to be involved in the formation of the gonads prior to their differentiation as testes or ovaries. Subsequent sex-specific gonadal differentiation appears to be mediated by the SRY and SOX9 genes in the testis, and the DAX-1 gene in the ovary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: H N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hawkins
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D057137:DAX-1 Orphan Nuclear Receptor; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D051717:Fushi Tarazu Transcription Factors; D006066:Gonads / Q000196:embryology*; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D010053:Ovary / Q000196:embryology; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor; D012730:Sex Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics*; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; D013737:Testis / Q000196:embryology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D025721:WT1 Proteins
chemical_list: D057137:DAX-1 Orphan Nuclear Receptor; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D051717:Fushi Tarazu Transcription Factors; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C085473:LHX1 protein, human; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; C499523:Lhx1 protein, mouse; C539965:NR0B1 protein, human; C539966:Nr0b1 protein, mouse; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; D012097:Repressor Proteins; 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; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; D014157:Transcription Factors; D025721:WT1 Proteins