Journal article

Loss of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP3K4) reveals a requirement for MAPK signalling in mouse sex determination

D Bogani, P Siggers, R Brixey, N Warr, S Beddow, J Edwards, D Williams, D Wilhelm, P Koopman, RA Flavell, H Chi, H Ostrer, S Wells, M Cheeseman, A Greenfield

Plos Biology | PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE | Published : 2009

Abstract

Sex determination in mammals is controlled by the presence or absence of the Y-linked gene SRY. In the developing male (XY) gonad, sex-determining region of the Y (SRY) protein acts to up-regulate expression of the related gene, SOX9, a transcriptional regulator that in turn initiates a downstream pathway of testis development, whilst also suppressing ovary development. Despite the requirement for a number of transcription factors and secreted signalling molecules in sex determination, intracellular signalling components functioning in this process have not been defined. Here we report a role for the phylogenetically ancient mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway in mouse..

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University of Melbourne Researchers