Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5534944 | Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology | 2017 | 10 Pages |
Abstract
In mammals, sex determination defines the differentiation of the bipotential genital ridge into either testes or ovaries. Sry, the mammalian Y-chromosomal testis-determining gene, is a master regulator of male sex determination. It acts to switch the undifferentiated genital ridge towards testis development, triggering the adoption of a male fate. Sry initiates a cascade of gene networks through the direct regulation of Sox9 expression and promotes supporting cell differentiation, Leydig cell specification, vasculature formation and testis cord development. In the absence of Sry, alternative genetic cascades, including female sex-determining genes RSPO1, Wnt4/β-catenin and Foxl2, are involved in the formation of female genitalia and the maintenance of female ovarian development. The mutual antagonisms between male and female sex-determining pathways are crucial in not just the initiation but also the maintenance of the somatic sex of the gonad throughout the organism's lifetime. Any imbalances in above sex-determining genes can cause disorders of sex development in humans and mice. In this review, we provide a detailed summary of the expression profiles, biochemical properties and developmental functions of Sry and SoxE genes in embryonic testis development and adult gonadal development. We also briefly summarize the dedicate balances between male and female sex-determining genes in mammalian sex development, with particular highlights on the molecular actions of Sry and Sox9 transcription factors.
Keywords
FGFR2CYP19A1cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1FGF9HmgSF1WT1Cyp26b1WNT4Rspo1Wilms tumor 1Sox8DPCNTDR-spondin 1sex determining region YBMP2cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1Forkhead box L2foxl2CTDPGD2TESSox9Sex determinationGonadal developmentC-terminal domainN-terminal domainRetinoic aciddays post coitumSertoli cellSryFibroblast growth factor 9bone morphogenetic protein 2Prostaglandin D2Prostaglandin D2 synthasehigh mobility group fibroblast growth factor receptor 2
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Authors
Zhen-Yu She, Wan-Xi Yang,