title: Expanding roles for the evolutionarily conserved Dmrt sex transcriptional regulators during embryogenesis.
abstract: Dmrt genes encode a large family of transcription factors characterized by the presence of a DM domain, an unusual zinc finger DNA binding domain. While Dmrt genes are well known for their important role in sexual development in arthropodes, nematodes and vertebrates, several new findings indicate emerging functions of this gene family in other developmental processes. Here, we provide an overview of the evolution, structure and mechanisms of action of Dmrt genes. We summarize recent findings on their function in sexual regulation and discuss more extensively the role played by these proteins in somitogenesis and neural development.
authors: Laboratoire de Génétique du Développement, Institut de Biologie et de Médecine Moléculaires (IBMM), Université Libre de Bruxelles, rue des Profs. Jeener et Brachet 12, 6041, Gosselies, Belgium, ebellefr@ulb.ac.be.
authors: Eric J
authors: EJ
authors: Bellefroid
authors: Lucas
authors: L
authors: Leclère
authors: Amandine
authors: A
authors: Saulnier
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Keruzore
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Sirakov
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Vervoort
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: De Clercq
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D047108:Embryonic Development; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D008540:Meiosis; D055495:Neurogenesis; D010802:Phylogeny; D012733:Sex Differentiation; D046468:Sexual Development; D019170:Somites / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C110547:DMRT1 protein; D014157:Transcription Factors