Abstract
Vertebrates exhibit a variety of sex determining mechanisms which fall broadly into two classes: environmental or genetic. In birds and mammals sex is determined by a genetic mechanism. In mammals males are the heterogametic sex (XY) with the Y chromosome acting as a dominant determiner of sex due to the action of the testis-determining factor, SRY. In birds females are the heterogametic sex (ZW); however, it is not known whether the W chromosome carries a dominant ovary-determining gene, or whether Z chromosome dosage determines sex. Using an experimental approach, which assumes only that the sex-determining event in birds is accompanied by sex-specific changes in gene expression, we have identified a novel gene, ASW (Avian Sex-specific W-linked). The putative protein for ASW is related to the HIT (histidine triad) family of proteins. ASW shows female-specific expression in genital ridges and maps to the chicken W chromosome. In addition, we show that, with the exception of ratites, ASW is linked to the W chromosome in each of 17 bird species from nine different families of the class Aves.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 243-249 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Development Genes and Evolution |
| Volume | 210 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 13 May 2000 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Avian W-chromosome
- Female-specific
- Gene expression
- Gonad development
Cite this
}
ASW : a gene with conserved avian W-linkage and female specific expression in chick embryonic gonad. / O'Neill, Michael; Binder, Michele; Smith, Craig; Andrews, Jane; Reed, Kirsty; Smith, Matthijs; Millar, Craig; Lambert, David; Sinclair, Andrew.
In: Development Genes and Evolution, Vol. 210, No. 5, 13.05.2000, p. 243-249.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - ASW
T2 - a gene with conserved avian W-linkage and female specific expression in chick embryonic gonad
AU - O'Neill, Michael
AU - Binder, Michele
AU - Smith, Craig
AU - Andrews, Jane
AU - Reed, Kirsty
AU - Smith, Matthijs
AU - Millar, Craig
AU - Lambert, David
AU - Sinclair, Andrew
PY - 2000/5/13
Y1 - 2000/5/13
N2 - Vertebrates exhibit a variety of sex determining mechanisms which fall broadly into two classes: environmental or genetic. In birds and mammals sex is determined by a genetic mechanism. In mammals males are the heterogametic sex (XY) with the Y chromosome acting as a dominant determiner of sex due to the action of the testis-determining factor, SRY. In birds females are the heterogametic sex (ZW); however, it is not known whether the W chromosome carries a dominant ovary-determining gene, or whether Z chromosome dosage determines sex. Using an experimental approach, which assumes only that the sex-determining event in birds is accompanied by sex-specific changes in gene expression, we have identified a novel gene, ASW (Avian Sex-specific W-linked). The putative protein for ASW is related to the HIT (histidine triad) family of proteins. ASW shows female-specific expression in genital ridges and maps to the chicken W chromosome. In addition, we show that, with the exception of ratites, ASW is linked to the W chromosome in each of 17 bird species from nine different families of the class Aves.
AB - Vertebrates exhibit a variety of sex determining mechanisms which fall broadly into two classes: environmental or genetic. In birds and mammals sex is determined by a genetic mechanism. In mammals males are the heterogametic sex (XY) with the Y chromosome acting as a dominant determiner of sex due to the action of the testis-determining factor, SRY. In birds females are the heterogametic sex (ZW); however, it is not known whether the W chromosome carries a dominant ovary-determining gene, or whether Z chromosome dosage determines sex. Using an experimental approach, which assumes only that the sex-determining event in birds is accompanied by sex-specific changes in gene expression, we have identified a novel gene, ASW (Avian Sex-specific W-linked). The putative protein for ASW is related to the HIT (histidine triad) family of proteins. ASW shows female-specific expression in genital ridges and maps to the chicken W chromosome. In addition, we show that, with the exception of ratites, ASW is linked to the W chromosome in each of 17 bird species from nine different families of the class Aves.
KW - Avian W-chromosome
KW - Female-specific
KW - Gene expression
KW - Gonad development
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0034053528&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s004270050310
DO - 10.1007/s004270050310
M3 - Article
VL - 210
SP - 243
EP - 249
JO - Development Genes and Evolution
JF - Development Genes and Evolution
SN - 0949-944X
IS - 5
ER -