Spatially dynamic expression of Sry in mouse genital ridges.
We have studied the spatial dynamics of Sry transcription in the genital ridges of mouse embryos. We find that Sry is expressed in a dynamic wave that emanates from the central and/or anterior regions, extends subsequently to both poles, and ends in the caudal pole. This dynamism may explain the relative positioning of ovarian and testicular tissue seen in ovotestes in mice. Since direct regulatory targets of SRY ought to be expressed in a corresponding or complimentary wave, our observations pave the way for identification of target genes. Sry is expressed in internal cells but not in coelomic surface epithelial cells, indicating that its effect on proliferation of surface cells is achieved non-cell-autonomously. The cellular dynamism of Sry expression revealed in this study thus provides important insights into both the cellular and molecular mode of action of SRY, and how perturbations in Sry expression can lead to anomalies of sexual development.
Bullejos
M
M
Centre for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
Koopman
P
P
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D005835:Genitalia / Q000196:embryology*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014960:X Chromosome
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein; C497746:Sry protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins