Evolution of sex determination and the Y chromosome: SRY-related sequences in marsupials.

Foster, J W; Brennan, F E; Hampikian, G K; Goodfellow, P N; Sinclair, A H; Lovell-Badge, R; Selwood, L; Renfree, M B et al. · Nature · 1992

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

In mammals, testis determination is under the control of the testis-determining factor borne by the Y chromosome. SRY, a gene cloned from the sex-determining region of the human Y chromosome, has been equated with the testis-determining factor in man and mouse. We have used a human SRY probe to identify and clone related genes from the Y chromosome of two marsupial species. Comparisons of eutherian and metatherian Y-located SRY sequences suggest rapid evolution of these genes, especially outside the region encoding the DNA-binding HMG box. The SRY homologues, together with the mouse Ube1y homologues, are the first genes to be identified on the marsupial Y chromosome.

Medical subject headings