Science is one step closer to unraveling the mystery of human sexual development, thanks to the results of research showing how to create male mice without the Y chromosome, through the activation of an ancient gene brain. Usually, males have a Y chromosome and one X chromosome, while females have two X chromosomes A single gene on the Y chromosome, called SRY, triggers the development of testes in the embryo, and when these begin to form, the rest of the embryo also becomes male.
However, a team of researchers from the University of Adelaide, Australia, and colleagues at other institutions have discovered how to create a male mouse without a Y chromosome, using the activation of a single gene called SOX3, in the developing fetus. The SOX3 is known to be important for brain development, but had not been shown so far that can also launch the process leading to the male.
has also been demonstrated for the first time that some human patients with developmental disorders sexual changes occur in the human version of the same gene.
The Y chromosome contains the SRY gene, which acts as a genetic switch to activate, during embryonic development, the process of becoming male.
SRY gene switch is unique to mammals and is thought to have evolved from SOX3 gene during early stages of their evolution.
In their experiments, Paul Thomas of the Faculty of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, University of Adelaide, and colleagues have found male mice with two X chromosomes, through artificial activation of SOX3 gene in the developing gonads.
These XX males mice with artificially induced sex change are totally masculine in their physical appearance, in their reproductive structures and their behavior, but are sterile because of their inability to produce sperm.
Carla Gallo
0 comments:
Post a Comment