Male-biased expression of X-chromosomal DM domain-less Dmrt8 genes in the mouse.
The vertebrate DMRT gene family encodes putative transcription factors related to the sexual regulators Doublesex (Drosophila melanogaster) and MAB-3 (Caenorhabditis elegans). They share a highly conserved DNA binding motif, the DM domain. In human and mouse seven DMRT genes (DMRT1-DMRT7) have been analyzed. DMRT8, a gene related to DMRT7, is located on the X chromosome in placental mammals. While DMRT8 is single copy in most mammals, three copies are present in mouse, rat, and rabbit. Despite the loss of the DM domain, DMRT8 genes have been maintained in the mammalian lineage, suggesting a DM domain-independent function. In adult mouse, two Dmrt8 genes are expressed exclusively in testis. Dmrt8.1 mRNA was detected in Sertoli cells by in situ hybridization. In embryos, Dmrt8.2 shows a dynamic expression restricted to male and female gonads and might therefore be involved in sexual development in the mouse.
Department of Physiological Chemistry I, Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany.
Anne-Marie
AM
Veith
Jürgen
J
Klattig
Agnes
A
Dettai
Cornelia
C
Schmidt
Christoph
C
Englert
Jean-Nicolas
JN
Volff
D017398:Alternative Splicing; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D010802:Phylogeny; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000235:genetics; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D012737:Sex Factors; D013045:Species Specificity; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014960:X Chromosome / Q000235:genetics*
C514883:Dmrt8.1 protein, mouse; C514884:Dmrt8.2 protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors