Structural and functional conservation of fungal MatA and human SRY sex-determining proteins.
Sex determination in animals and fungi is regulated by specific sex-determining genes. The Aspergillus nidulans mating type gene matA and the human SRY (Sex-Determining Region Y) encode proteins containing a single HMG (high-mobility group) domain. Analysis of the amino-acid sequence of MatA and SRY transcription factors revealed significant structural similarity. The human SRY protein is able to functionally replace MatA and drives the sexual cycle in the fungus A. nidulans. Functional studies indicate that SRY drives early fruiting body development, and hybrid MatA protein carrying the SRY HMG box is fully capable of driving both early and late stages of sexual development, including gametogenesis. Our data suggest that SRY and MatA are both structurally and functionally related and conserved in regulating sexual processes. The fundamental mechanisms driving evolution of the genetic pathways underlying sex determination, sex chromosomes and sexual reproduction in eukaryotes appear similar.
1] Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-4236, USA [2] School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-4236, USA [3] Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844, USA.
Wioletta
W
Czaja
1] Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-4236, USA [2] Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844, USA.
Karen Y
KY
Miller
1] Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-4236, USA [2] School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-4236, USA.
Michael K
MK
Skinner
1] Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-4236, USA [2] Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844, USA.
Bruce L
BL
Miller
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001233:Aspergillus nidulans / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D048690:Fruiting Bodies, Fungal / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D049770:Genes, Mating Type, Fungal / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D024002:HMGB Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017385:Sequence Homology; D019849:Sex Determination Processes / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D005656:Fungal Proteins; D024002:HMGB Proteins; C497745:SRY protein, human; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein