Journal article
The avian Z-linked gene DMRT1 is required for male sex determination in the chicken
CA Smith, KN Roeszler, T Ohnesorg, DM Cummins, PG Farlie, TJ Doran, AH Sinclair
Nature | NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP | Published : 2009
DOI: 10.1038/nature08298
Abstract
Sex in birds is chromosomally based, as in mammals, but the sex chromosomes are different and the mechanism of avian sex determination has been a long-standing mystery. In the chicken and all other birds, the homogametic sex is male (ZZ) and the heterogametic sex is female (ZW). Two hypotheses have been proposed for the mechanism of avian sex determination. The W (female) chromosome may carry a dominant-acting ovary determinant. Alternatively, the dosage of a Z-linked gene may mediate sex determination, two doses being required for male development (ZZ). A strong candidate avian sex-determinant under the dosage hypothesis is the conserved Z-linked gene, DMRT1 (doublesex and mab-3-related tra..
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Funding Acknowledgements
We thank C. Tabin for providing the RCASBP retroviral vectors, and X.- J. Yang for advice on viral preparation. We also thank M. Clinton and H. Sang for methods of manipulating early chicken embryos, S. White for statistical advice and P. Farmer for the histology. P. Koopman provided comments on the manuscript. This work was supported by an Australian Research Council (ARC) DP grant held by C. A. S. and A. H. S., and an NH& MRC Program grant jointly held by A. H. S.