Temperature-dependent expression of turtle Dmrt1 prior to sexual differentiation.
Vertebrates employ varied strategies, both chromosomal and nonchromosomal, to determine the sex of the developing embryo. Among reptiles, temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) is common. The temperature of incubation during a critical period preceding sexual differentiation determines the future sex of the embryo, presumably by altering the activity or expression of a temperature-dependent regulatory factor(s). Here we examine the expression of the Dmrt1 gene, a candidate regulator of mammalian and avian sexual development, in the turtle. During the sex-determining period, Dmrt1 mRNA is more abundant in genital ridge/mesonephros complexes at male-promoting than at female-promoting temperatures. Dmrt1 is the first gene found to show temperature-dependent expression prior to sexual differentiation, and may play a key role in sexual development in reptiles. genesis 26:174-178, 2000.
Kettlewell
J R
JR
Raymond
C S
CS
Zarkower
D
D
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012733:Sex Differentiation; D013696:Temperature; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*
C110547:DMRT1 protein; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors