黑斑蛙Sox基因的PCR扩增

以特异扩增人SRY基因HMG -box保守区的一对引物 ,扩增了黑斑蛙的Sox基因 (SRY -boxgene) .结果表明 ,雌雄黑斑蛙个体均扩增出了两条带 ,大小分别为 4 50bp和 90 0bp ,显示了Sox基因在黑斑蛙雌雄个体间无性别特异性 ,且可能含有内含子 .本文为探讨黑斑蛙的性别决定机制及Sox基因的进化提供了分子资料 .     

利用SRY基因鉴定绵羊成纤维细胞性别的研究

SRY是哺乳动物性别决定的重要基因，利用绵羊SRY基因序列设计PCR引物，对绵羊胚胎来源的成纤维细胞提取总DNA进行PCR扩增，鉴定6个不同胚胎来源的成纤维细胞的性别．结果表明，3个有扩增带为雄性，3个无扩增带为雌性，为核移植选取雄性或雌性转基因成纤维细胞提供一项可行的方法．同时提取牛、山羊、小鼠的总DNA，利用绵羊SRY基因引物进行扩增，对SRY基因在哺乳动物中的保守性进行研究．结果表明，绵羊SRY基因保守区外的一对引物对雄性山羊、绵羊、牛及小鼠均能扩增出特异的DNA片段，说明SRY基因序列有很强的保守性．     

扬子鳄Sox基因的PCR-SSCP分析

参照人SRY基因HMG－box保守区的序列,设计一对引物,扩增了扬子鳄的Sox基因,并进行了SSCP分析,结果显示扬子鳄Sox基因的扩增片段与人SRY基因扩增片断大小相同,为220bp左右;且雌雄个体间该基因片段的单链迁移率无差异,而与人的有较大差异,本研究为扬子鳄的性别决定机制的探讨及Sox基因的进化保守性分析提供分子资料。     

一个在中华绒螯蟹性腺中特异表达的Sox基因HMG盒区的克隆与鉴定

根据人的睾丸决定因子（SRY）的高速泳动组蛋白区设计简并引物,以中华绒螯蟹雌雄个体的基因组DNA为模板进行PCR扩增,从雌雄体均扩出220bp左右的条带,说明中华绒螯蟹中存在SRY基因的同源体,且无性别差异．经克隆、测序后得到两条SRY盒区相关基因（Sox基因）片段,ES1和ES2,其序列与人相应Sox基因保守区的最高同源性分别为66％和93％．ES1和ES2在成体8种组织中的检测结果表明,ES1在精巢、肌肉、心脏、肝脏、鳃、胸神经团、不同时期的卵巢及排出的成熟卵等组织中均表达,而ES2只在精巢、成熟的卵巢以及排出的成熟卵中有表达,说明ES2基因可能参与性腺的发育和早期胚胎发育过程．     

动物性别鉴定与控制研究进展

哺乳动物性别决定是以位于雄性Y染色体短肴上被称为SRY基因为调控中心、多基因参与的级联调控过程。但染色体理论并非性别决定机制的全部，外部环境中的某些因素也是性别决定机制的重要条件。本中对家畜性别控制技术的一些方法的原理、理论基础基本方法和性反转等进行了综述，介绍了家畜的精子和早期胚胎性别鉴定与控制的一些方法。     

王锦蛇(Elaphe carinata)Sox基因保守区的克隆及测序

参照人SRY基因HMG-box保守区序列设计一对兼并引物,PCR扩增了王锦蛇的Sox基因,采用SSCP技术筛选阳性克隆,并对其进行了测序.结果在雌雄个体中共筛选出4个Sox基因,其中一个为雌性独有,显示出性别差异性;4个Sox基因DNA序列及编码的氨基酸序列与人相应SOX基因的相似性分别为91%、91%、92%、91%和96%、98%、96%、96%,显示出高度的保守性.实验结果为王锦蛇的性别决定机制研究提供了分子资料.     

虎纹蛙Sox基因的PCR扩增及SSCP分析

本文采用PCR技术,以特异扩增人SRY基因HMG－box保守区的一对引物,扩增了虎纹 蛙Sox基因（SRY－box gene）。并对扩增产物进行了SSCP分析。结果雌雄虎纹蛙个体均扩增 出一条带,大小为221 bp,表明虎纹蛙Sox基因在雌雄个性间无性别特异性。SSCP分析结果 显示虎纹蛙Sox基因雌雄个体片段的单链迁移率无差异,而与人的有较大差异。本文为探讨 虎纹蛙的性别决定机制及Sox基因的进行提供了分子资料。     

异源四倍体鲫鲤Sox9a基因保守区序列的克隆及内含子剪接位点分析

用特异于HMG-box保守区的兼并引物扩增了异源四倍体鲫鲤及其原始亲本(红鲫和鲤鱼)的Sox基因. 异源四倍体鲫鲤的扩增产物共有4条带,大小分别约为200,600,900和 1900?bp,而其原始亲本的扩增产物只有3条带,且在雌雄个体中未发现性别特异扩增带. 回收雄性四倍体鱼600?bp扩增带,经亚克隆及测序分析得到一个新的编码71个氨基酸残基的基因. 该基因与虹鳟鱼(Oncorhynchus mykiss)、蟾蜍(Xenopus laevis)、鲤鱼(Cyprinus carpio)等的Sox9基因相似性达97%,据此命名为Atsox9a. 通过计算机分析和RT-PCR方法确定该基因含有内含子,并获得其内含子的序列和剪切位点,此内含子剪切位点在进化上是保守的. Atsox9a对于研究异源四倍体鲫鲤性别决定和分化机制及脊椎动物性别进化具有重要的理论意义.     

黑斑蛙Dmrt4基因的克隆测序

Dmrt基因家族是新近发现的一个与性别决定相关的基因家族.该家族成员都含有一个新的具有DNA结合能力的保守基序--DM结构域,它们在性别决定和分化发育的调控中担负重要的功能.本文采用简并PCR技术,扩增并克隆了黑斑蛙基因组中的DM结构域,经序列分析,获得了Dmrt家族的一个成员rnDmrt4.通过对不同进化地位的物种进行Dmrt4基因的氨基酸序列聚类,发现了Dmrt4基因在系统进化中具有高度保守性,提示该基因在性别分化和功能维持上可能具有重要作用.     

一个与鸭繁殖性能相关卵巢差异表达基因的分离分析

本文用mRNA差异表达显示技术,分离分析了繁殖准备期金定鸭(Anas platyrhynchos domesticus)和绿头野鸭(Anas platyrhynchos)卵巢差异表达基因.通过卵巢组织RNA提取、反转录、mRNA差异显示PCR扩增、PAGE和银染检测扩增产物、差异带回收纯化、T载体连接转化和克隆测序分析,获得一个可能与鸭繁殖性能有关的卵巢差异表达基因片段,片段大小882bp.同源性分析表明,其序列与发情期羊卵巢cDNA(同源性为96%)、褐家鼠睾丸cDNA(同源性为83%)有很高的同源性.基因家族摸体分析表明,该序列的部分片段分别与Sox-5基因、转录因子USF基因、性别决定因子SRY、Cdx A基因都有90%以上的同源性典型摸体.由上述分析,我们推测该cDNA片段与鸭繁殖性状有关.     

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

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.     

Genetic evidence equating SRY and the testis-determining factor

The testis-determining factor gene (TDF) lies on the Y chromosome and is responsible for initiating male sex determination. SRY is a gene located in the sex-determining region of the human and mouse Y chromosomes and has many of the properties expected for TDF. Sex reversal in XY females results from the failure of the testis determination or differentiation pathways. Some XY females, with gonadal dysgenesis, have lost the sex-determining region from the Y chromosome by terminal exchange between the sex chromosomes or by other deletions. If SRY is TDF, it would be predicted that some sex-reversed XY females, without Y chromosome deletions, will have suffered mutations in SRY. We have tested human XY females and normal XY males for alterations in SRY using the single-strand conformation polymorphism assay and subsequent DNA sequencing. A de novo mutation was found in the SRY gene of one XY female: this mutation was not present in the patient's normal father and brother. A second variant was found in the SRY gene of another XY female, but in this case the normal father shared the same alteration. The variant in the second case may be fortuitously associated with, or predisposing towards sex reversal; the de novo mutation associated with sex reversal provides compelling evidence that SRY is required for male sex determination.     

Analysis of intron sequence variability of the conservative HMG-box of Sox9 genes in allotetraploids and their original parents

The Sox genes of allotetraploids and their original maternal red crucian carp （Carassius caassius red var.） and original paternal common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) were detected by PCR with the designed primers based on the conserved HMG-box sequence in different species. Sequencing of Sox genes indicated that two Sox9 genes (Atsox9a and Atsox9b) existed in allotetraploids, while only one Sox9 gene existed in red crucian carp (Rcsox9a) and common carp (Ccsox9b). All of the four Sox9 genes contained an intron in the HMG-box, with the sizes of 413 bp, 703 bp, 401 bp and 714 bp, respectively. Moreover, the introns obeyed the rule of “GT-AG”. A high similarity was observed between introns of Atsox9a and Rcsox9a (94.4%), Atsox9b and Ccsox9b (97.8%). Interestingly, the deduced amino acid sequences of their corresponding exons all shared 100% identity. Thus, introns of the HMG-domain of Sox9s in allotetraploids and their original parents have not only the length polymorphism but also intron variability. Our results provide significant molecular evidence for the origin and evolution of allotetraploids.     

Analysis of intron sequence variability of the conservative HMG-box of Sox9 genes in allotetraploids and their original parents

The Sox genes of allotetraploids and their original maternal red crucian carp (Carassius caassius red var.) and original paternal common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) were detected by PCR with the designed primers based on the conserved HMG-box sequence in different species. Sequencing of Sox genes indicated that two Sox9 genes (Atsox9a and Atsox9b) existed in allotetraploids, while only one Sox9 gene existed in red crucian carp (Rcsox9a) and common carp (Ccsox9b) . All of the four Sox9 genes contained an intron in the HMG-box. with the sizes of 413 bp, 703 bp, 401 bp and 714 bp, respectively. Moreover, the introns obeyed the rule of "GT-AG" . A high similarity was observed between introns of Atsox9a and Rcsox9a (94.4%), Atsox9b and Ccsox9b (97.8%). Interestingly, the deduced amino acid sequences of their corresponding exons all shared 100% identity. Thus, introns of the HMG-domain of Sox9s in allotetraploids and their original parents have not only the length polymorphism but also intron variability. Our results provide significant molecular evidence for the origin and evolution of allotetraploids.     

Male development of chromosomally female mice transgenic for Sry

The initiation of male development in mammals requires one or more genes on the Y chromosome. A recently isolated gene, termed SRY in humans and Sry in mouse, has many of the genetic and biological properties expected of a Y-located testis-determining gene. It is now shown that Sry on a 14-kilobase genomic DNA fragment is sufficient to induce testis differentiation and subsequent male development when introduced into chromosomally female mouse embryos.     

Sex determination involves synergistic action of SRY and SF1 on a specific Sox9 enhancer

The mammalian Y chromosome acts as a dominant male determinant as a result of the action of a single gene, Sry, whose role in sex determination is to initiate testis rather than ovary development from early bipotential gonads. It does so by triggering the differentiation of Sertoli cells from supporting cell precursors, which would otherwise give follicle cells. The related autosomal gene Sox9 is also known from loss-of-function mutations in mice and humans to be essential for Sertoli cell differentiation; moreover, its abnormal expression in an XX gonad can lead to male development in the absence of Sry. These genetic data, together with the finding that Sox9 is upregulated in Sertoli cell precursors just after SRY expression begins, has led to the proposal that Sox9 could be directly regulated by SRY. However, the mechanism by which SRY action might affect Sox9 expression was not understood. Here we show that SRY binds to multiple elements within a Sox9 gonad-specific enhancer in mice, and that it does so along with steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1, encoded by the gene Nr5a1 (Sf1)), an orphan nuclear receptor. Mutation, co-transfection and sex-reversal studies all point to a feedforward, self-reinforcing pathway in which SF1 and SRY cooperatively upregulate Sox9 and then, together with SF1, SOX9 also binds to the enhancer to help maintain its own expression after that of SRY has ceased. Our results open up the field, permitting further characterization of the molecular mechanisms regulating sex determination and how they have evolved, as well as how they fail in cases of sex reversal.     

Expression of a candidate sex-determining gene during mouse testis differentiation

The development of a eutherian mammal as a male is a consequence of testis formation in the embryo, which is thought to be initiated by a gene on the Y chromosome. In the absence of this gene, ovaries are formed and female characteristics develop. Sex determination therefore hinges on the action of this testis-determining gene, known as Tdy in mice and TDF in humans. In the past, several genes proposed as candidates for Tdy/TDF have subsequently been dismissed on the grounds of inappropriate location or expression. We have recently described a candidate for Tdy, which maps to the minimum sex-determining region of the mouse Y chromosome. To examine further the involvement of this gene, Sry, in testis development, we have studied its expression in detail. Fetal expression of Sry is limited to the period in which testes begin to form. This expression is confined to gonadal tissue and does not require the presence of germ cells. Our observations strongly support a primary role for Sry in mouse sex determination.