[Human Y chromosome: structure and biological role].
Y chromosome differs from other human chromosomes. It is found in cells of the male persons only. Different human phenotypes are associated with non-recombinant region of Y chromosome. This chromosome is of great significance in the human sex determination and the development of male gametes (spermatogenesis). Testes develop in embryos which have the Y chromosome, and ovaries develop in embryos which have no Y chromosome. SRY (sex-determining region of the Y chromosome) gene determines the male phenotype. Translocation of this gene determines sex reversal. The aim of this article was to review the structure and biological functions of the human Y chromosome.
Lasiene
Kristina
K
Department of Histology and Embryology, Kaunas University of Medicine, A. Mickeviciaus 9, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania. krislasi@itc.kmu.lt
Vitkus
Aleksandras
A
Jurkeniene
Lina
L
Sinkus
Algimantas
A
D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D024282:Genes, sry; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D008297:Male; D008677:Metaphase; D010641:Phenotype; D019849:Sex Determination Processes; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D014178:Translocation, Genetic