title: Xenopus W-linked DM-W induces Foxl2 and Cyp19 expression during ovary formation.
abstract: The molecular mechanisms of vertebrate ZZ/ZW-type sex-determining systems remain unclear. We recently indicated that a W-linked gene, DM-W is a likely ovary-determining gene in Xenopus laevis. We first examined whether Cyp19 for estrogen-synthesizing enzyme P450 aromatase and Foxl2 showed female-specific expression in developing gonads. Both genes showed much higher expression in ZW than in ZZ gonads during and after sex determination. Importantly, transgenic ZZ gonads expressing exogenous DM-W at the sex-determining stage showed a ZW-type pattern of Cyp19 and Foxl2 expression. These results suggest that DM-W up-regulates Cyp19 and Foxl2 expression to guide primary ovary development in X. laevis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, School of Science, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yoshimoto
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kanda
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tamura
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shiba
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Takamatsu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ito