Journal article
The potential role of microRNAs in regulating gonadal sex differentiation in the chicken embryo
AD Cutting, SC Bannister, TJ Doran, AH Sinclair, MVL Tizard, CA Smith
Chromosome Research | Published : 2012
Abstract
Differential gene expression regulates tissue morphogenesis. The embryonic gonad is a good example, where the developmental decision to become an ovary or testis is governed by female- or male-specific gene expression. A number of genes have now been identified that control gonadal sex differentiation. However, the potential role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in ovarian and testicular pathways is unknown. In this review, we summarise our current understanding of gonadal differentiation and the possible involvement of miRNAs, using the chicken embryo as a model system. Chickens and other birds have a ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system, in which the female, ZW, is the heterogametic sex, and the male, ZZ, is ..
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Funding Acknowledgements
We acknowledge the Victorian Government's Operational Infrastructure Support Program, the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Poultry Cooperative Research Centre who supported the research presented in this paper. We thank the reviewers of this article for their constructive feedback.