Vertebrate Sex Determination
Editor: Valentine Lance, San Diego, Calif.

Paper

Turning on the male - SRY, SOX9 and sex determination in mammals
K.C. Knower^a,b, S. Kelly^a,b, V.R. Harley<sup>a

a</sup>Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria
^bDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Victoria (Australia)

Address of Corresponding Author

Cytogenet Genome Res 2003;101:185-198 (DOI: 10.1159/000074336)

  Abstract.

The decision of the bi-potential gonad to develop into either a testis or ovary is determined by the presence or absence of the Sex-determining Region gene on the Y chromosome (SRY). Since its discovery, almost 13 years ago, the molecular role that SRY plays in initiating the male sexual development cascade has proven difficult to ascertain. While biochemical studies of clinical mutants and mouse genetic models have helped in our understanding of SRY function, no direct downstream targets of SRY have yet been identified. There are, however, a number of other genes of equal importance in determining sexual phenotype, expressed before and after expression of SRY. Of these, one has proven of central importance to mammals and vertebrates, SOX9. This review describes our current knowledge of SRY and SOX9 structure and function in the light of recent key developments.   

Copyright © 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Request reprints from Vincent R. Harley
Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research
Monash Medical Centre, PO Box 5152
Clayton 3168 Victoria (Australia)
telephone: +61 395943244; fax: +61 395946125
e-mail: Vincent.Harley@med.monash.edu.au

  Article Information

Supported by NHMRC (Australia) grant no. 198713.

Received 16 June 2003;
manuscript accepted 2 July 2003.
Number of Print Pages : 14
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 201