title: The role of non-coding RNAs in male sex determination and differentiation.
abstract: A complex network of gene regulation and interaction drives male sex determination and differentiation. While many important protein-coding genes that are necessary for proper male development have been identified, many disorders in human sex development are still unexplained at the molecular level. This suggests that key factors and regulatory mechanisms are still unknown. In recent years, extensive data have shown that different classes of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a role in almost all developmental and physiological pathways. Here we review what is known about their role in male sex determination and differentiation not only in mammals, but also other species. While for some processes a key role for ncRNA has been identified, we are still far from having a complete picture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Developmental BiologyMonash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Raphael H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Rastetter
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Developmental BiologyMonash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia dagmar.wilhelm@monash.edu craig.smith@monash.edu.
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Developmental BiologyMonash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia dagmar.wilhelm@monash.edu craig.smith@monash.edu.
authors.forename: Dagmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wilhelm
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D024282:Genes, sry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009024:Morphogenesis; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019849:Sex Determination Processes / Q000235:genetics*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D014998:Y Chromosome
chemical_list: D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor