Expression of Sox9, Mis, and Dmrt1 in the gonad of a species with temperature-dependent sex determination.
Sex determination in vertebrates, the process of forming an ovary or testis from a bipotential gonad, can be initiated by genetic or environmental factors. Elements of the downstream molecular pathways underlying these different sex-determining mechanisms have been evolutionarily conserved. We find the first evidence that Sox9 expression is preferentially organized in the testis early in the temperature-sensitive period in a species with temperature-dependent sex determination (Trachemys scripta). This pattern occurs before sexually dimorphic Mis expression and in a temporal hierarchy that is similar to mammals. Furthermore, we extend previous findings that Dmrt1 expression at early stages of sex determination has a dimorphic pattern consistent with a possible upstream role in determining the fate of the bipotential gonad.
Shoemaker
Christina
C
Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA.
Ramsey
Mary
M
Queen
Joanna
J
Crews
David
D
D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006066:Gonads / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D019849:Sex Determination Processes; D013696:Temperature; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D014426:Turtles / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics*
D002352:Carrier Proteins; C110547:DMRT1 protein; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor; D014157:Transcription Factors