Making males and back again Temperature-dependent sex determination occurs in many reptilian species. An epigenetic mechanism is presumed to be at work, but thus far it has not been identified. Ge et al. show that the red-eared slider turtle, an modifier, histone demethylase KDM6B, binds promoter of dominant male gene activate development (see Perspective by Georges Holleley). Knock down expression embryos destined turn into females. Science , this issue p. 645 ; see also 601

How egg temperature sets sex In many reptiles, is determined by nest during incubation. Temperature regulates the expression of an epigenetic modifier gene called Kdm6b , which responsible for testis development. However, molecular connection between and sex-specific this factor was previously unknown. Weber et al. have identified a link activation key regulator signal transducer activator transcription 3 (STAT3). After influx Ca 2+ at warmer, female-producing temperature, STAT3...

The molecular mechanism underlying temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) has been a long-standing mystery; in particular, the thermo-sensitive genetic triggers for gonadal differentiation are largely unknown. Here, we characterized conserved DM domain gene, Dmrt1, red-eared slider turtle Trachemys scripta (T. scripta), which exhibits TSD. We found that Dmrt1 temperature-dependent, sexually dimorphic expression pattern, preceding differentiation, and is capable of responding rapidly...

In vertebrates, the primary sex-determining signals that initiate sexual development are remarkably diverse, ranging from complete genetic to environmental cues. However, no sex determination-related genes have been functionally identified in reptiles. Here, we characterized a conserved DM domain gene, Dmrt1, Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis (P. sinensis), which exhibits ZZ/ZW chromosomes. Dmrt1 exhibited early male-specific embryonic expression, preceding onset of gonadal...

In vertebrates, estrogens are required for the normal development and function of postnatal gonads. However, it remains unclear whether able to modulate fetal germ cells. Here, we show that, unexpectedly, chicken primordial cells (PGC) lacking estrogen receptor α/β still proliferate in response 17β-estradiol (E(2)). This is due capacity G protein-coupled 30 (GPR30), existing on PGC, directly bind E(2). Knockdown experiments suggest that GPR30 E(2)-stimulated PGC proliferation. Furthermore,...

Anti-Müllerian hormone (

Abstract SOX8, which belongs to SOXE transcription factor subfamily together with SOX9, participates in sex differentiation and testicular development by enhancing the function of SOX9 mammals. However, functional role SOX8 has not yet been identified any non-mammalian vertebrates. Here, we found Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis that exhibited male-specific higher expression from stage 14 18, critical period determination, prior onset gonadal differentiation. In addition, was...

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been shown to stimulate survival in diverse cells vitro. In the present study, effects of EGF and EGF-related signaling pathway on proliferation chicken primordial germ (PGCs) were investigated. Results showed that (10–100 ng/ml) increased number area PGC colonies a time- dose-dependent manner. also activated PKC, process was inhibited by AG1478 (an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor) ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA; an...

As embryonic progenitors for the gametes, PGCs (primordial germ cells) proliferate and develop under strict regulation of numerous intrinsic external factors. most active natural metabolite vitamin A, all-trans RA (retinoic acid) plays pivotal roles in regulating development various cells. The proliferating action on was investigated along with intracellular PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)/Akt (protein kinase B; also known as Akt)-mediated NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) signalling cascade....

Abstract Pseudomonas plecoglossicida NB 2011 , the causative agent of visceral granulomas disease in farmed Larimichthys crocea China, encodes a predicted type three effector PP _ExoU, homolog cytotoxin ExoU aeruginosa . In this study, secretion _ExoU was tested various broth, protein expressed with pET 30a prokaryotic system, phospholipase A ( PLA ) activity recombinant determined fluorogenic phospholipid substrates, fusion expression green fluorescent transfected HeLa cells investigated,...

Abstract Exogenous estrogen have shown their feminization abilities during the specific sex differentiation period in several reptiles. However, regulatory mechanism and downstream genes of remain elusive. In present study, 17β-estradiol (E2), as well drugs antagonists and/or agonists receptors, were employed to figure out molecular pathway involved E2-induced Chinese soft-shelled turtles, an important aquaculture species China. E2 treatment led typical female characteristics gonads ZZ...

The effect of GS (ginsenosides) on proliferation chicken GCs (granulosa cells) from prehierarchical SYF (small yellow follicles) was evaluated, and involvement the PKC (protein kinase C) signalling pathway as well mRNA expression cyclins CDK (cyclin-dependent kinase) were investigated. Whole or isolated cultured in Medium 199 supplemented with 0.5% FCS (fetal calf serum). After 16 h, cells challenged alone combination inhibitor H7 activator PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) for 24 h...

ABSTRACT KDM6B-mediated epigenetic modification of the testicular regulator Dmrt1 has previously been identified as primary switch male pathway in a temperature-dependent sex-determination (TSD) system; however, molecular network female not yet established. Here, we have functionally characterized for first time an upstream pathway, forkhead transcription factor FOXL2, Trachemys scripta, turtle species with TSD system. FOXL2 exhibited female-specific expression patterns before onset gonadal...

In reptiles, such as the red-eared slider turtle (

Ovarian development was traditionally recognized as a “default” sexual outcome and therefore received much less scientific attention than testis development. In turtles with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), how the female pathway is initiated to induce ovary remains unknown. this study, we have found that phosphorylation of signal transducer activator transcription 3 (pSTAT3) Foxl2 exhibit sexually dimorphic patterns tempo-spatial coexpression in early embryos red-eared slider...

Although the pluripotent and proliferative capacity of embryonic germ (EG) cells is thought to be equivalent that stem (ES) cells, there has been far less attention focused on potential use EG for applications in developing novel strategies tissue transplantation treatment degenerative diseases. In this study, were derived from primordial (PGCs) genital ridges 4-day-old chicken embryos. These satisfied criteria previously used defining by using expression markers characteristic ES cells....

Abstract Estrogen signaling exerts a decisive role in female sex determination and differentiation chicken fish. Aromatase encoded by Cyp19a1 is the key enzyme that catalyzes conversion of androgen to estrogen. Correlative analyses implicate potential involvement aromatase reptilian sexual development, however, direct genetic evidence lacking. Herein, we found exhibited temperature-dependent sexually dimorphic expression, located medullary somatic cells early embryos red-eared slider turtle...