The biochemical role of SRY in sex determination
Open accessAbstract
The human sex‐determining gene on the Y chromosome, termed SRY, has recently been isolated by positional cloning; compelling evidence now exists equating SRY with the testis‐determing factor, TDF. The SRY gene product is an HMG box protein whose DNA‐binding activity is vital for testis formation as sex‐reversed patients with SRY mutations lack this activity in vitro. The in vivo DNA target for SRY, however, remains elusive. Here, we show, by gel retardation analysis, that SRY recognises specific DNA sequences and that such sequences exist upstream of the AMH promoter, a potential downstream target for SRY. We also describe the DNA bending and cruciform DNA‐binding functions of SRY and propose a model for the potential action of SRY in the “HMG‐1‐rich” mammalian nucleus. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
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Biological sex is determined by sex chromosomes and sex hormones.
“Biological sex is determined by sex chromosomes and sex hormones [8, 9].”
From Sex chromosomes and sex hormones differently shape microglial properties during normal physiological conditions in the adult mouse hippocampus (2025) · cites this paper as [8]
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- Koopman P, Gubbay J (1991): The biology of Sry. Sex determination in man and mouse. In R Levell-Badge, P Goodfellow (eds), "Semi- nars in Developmental Biology." Vol. 2. Philadelphia: W.B. Saun- ders. Koopman P, Gubbay J , Collignon J, Lovell-Badge R (1989): Zfy gene expression is not eompatible with a primary role in mouse sex deter- mination. Nature 342:940-942.
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- Authors
- R. Harley, V., & N. Goodfellow, P.
- Venue
- Molecular Reproduction and Development
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1994-10
- Volume
- 39
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 184-193
- ISSN
- 1040-452X (ISSN-L)
- 1098-2795
- OpenAlex
- W2075736503
- Cited by
- 114
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 3.16
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Molecular Reproduction and Development (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Wellcome Trust
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic and Clinical Aspects of Sex Determination and Chromosomal Abnormalities
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
- Keywords
- SRY gene, sex determination, testis-determining factor, HMG box proteins, DNA binding specificity, DNA bending, Y chromosome, sex reversal
- MeSH terms
- Amino Acid Sequence, Animals, Cell Differentiation, Chromosome Mapping, DNA-Binding Proteins, Female, Karyotyping, Male, Mammals, Mice, Transgenic, Molecular Sequence Data, Nuclear Proteins, Sex Chromosome Aberrations, Sex Determination Analysis, Testis, Transcription Factors, Y Chromosome, Sequence Homology, Amino Acid, Mice, Sex-Determining Region Y Protein
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