Kim Shinseog, Kettlewell Jae R, Anderson Robert C, Bardwell Vivian J, Zarkower David
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Gene Expr Patterns. 2003 Mar;3(1):77-82. doi: 10.1016/s1567-133x(02)00071-6.
The only molecular similarity shown so far for sexual regulatory genes among different phyla involves doublesex (dsx) of Drosophila, mab-3 and mab-23 of Caenorhabditis elegans, and Dmrt1 of vertebrates. These genes encode DM domain transcription factors (DM = dsx and mab-3) and are required for sexual differentiation. In the case of dsx and mab-3, the two genes control analogous aspects of sexual development, bind similar DNA sequences, and are capable of functional substitution in vivo. All three phyla have multiple DM domain genes, but it is unknown how many of these are involved in sexual development. Mammals, for example, have at least seven DM domain genes, but embryonic expression has only been examined in detail for Dmrt1(dsx- and mab-3 related transcription factor 1). We have identified additional murine DM domain genes and have examined their expression in the mouse embryo, with emphasis on the developing gonad. At least three murine DM domain genes in addition to Dmrt1 are expressed in the embryonic gonad: Dmrt4 is expressed at similar levels in gonads of both sexes; Dmrt3 is more highly expressed in males; and Dmrt7 is more highly expressed in females. Expression of three other genes is low or absent in the embryonic gonad. Two of these, Dmrt5 and Dmrt6, are expressed primarily in the brain, and the third, Dmrt2, is expressed in presomitic mesoderm and developing somites. Our data suggest that multiple DM domain genes may be involved in mammalian sexual development, and that they may function in both testis and ovary development.
迄今为止，不同门之间在性调控基因方面所显示出的唯一分子相似性涉及果蝇的双性基因（doublesex，dsx）、秀丽隐杆线虫的mab - 3和mab - 23，以及脊椎动物的Dmrt1。这些基因编码DM结构域转录因子（DM = dsx和mab - 3），是性别分化所必需的。就dsx和mab - 3而言，这两个基因控制着性别发育的类似方面，结合相似的DNA序列，并且能够在体内进行功能替代。所有这三个门都有多个DM结构域基因，但尚不清楚其中有多少参与性别发育。例如，哺乳动物至少有七个DM结构域基因，但仅对Dmrt1（dsx和mab - 3相关转录因子1）的胚胎表达进行了详细研究。我们已经鉴定出了其他小鼠DM结构域基因，并研究了它们在小鼠胚胎中的表达，重点是发育中的性腺。除了Dmrt1之外，至少还有三个小鼠DM结构域基因在胚胎性腺中表达：Dmrt4在两性性腺中的表达水平相似；Dmrt3在雄性中表达更高；Dmrt7在雌性中表达更高。另外三个基因在胚胎性腺中的表达很低或没有表达。其中两个，Dmrt5和Dmrt6，主要在大脑中表达，第三个，Dmrt2，在体节形成前的中胚层和发育中的体节中表达。我们的数据表明，多个DM结构域基因可能参与哺乳动物的性别发育，并且它们可能在睾丸和卵巢发育中都发挥作用。
