avian Z-linked gene DMRT1 is required for male sex determination in the chicken

• Published in: Nature (London) Vol. 461; no. 7261; pp. 267 - 271
• Main Authors: Smith, Craig A, Roeszler, Kelly N, Ohnesorg, Thomas, Cummins, David M, Farlie, Peter G, Doran, Timothy J, Sinclair, Andrew H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 10.09.2009; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: analysis; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers; Biomarkers - analysis; Birds; Cell Line; Chick Embryo; Chickens; Chickens - genetics; Chickens - physiology; Chromosomes; Classical genetics, quantitative genetics, hybrids; deficiency; Disorders of Sex Development; DMRT1 gene; Down-Regulation; embryology; Embryonic development; Embryos; Female; Females; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Dosage; Gene Dosage - genetics; Genes; Genetic aspects; genetics; Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution; Gonads; Histology; Humanities and Social Sciences; letter; Male; Males; metabolism; Methods; MicroRNAs; MicroRNAs - genetics; MicroRNAs - metabolism; Models, Genetic; multidisciplinary; Ovary; Ovary - embryology; Ovary - metabolism; Physiological aspects; physiology; Poultry; Proteins; Reptiles & amphibians; RNA Interference; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Sex Characteristics; Sex Chromosomes; Sex Chromosomes - genetics; sex determination; Sex Determination Processes; Sex determination, Genetic; sex linkage; SOX9 Transcription Factor; SOX9 Transcription Factor - genetics; SOX9 Transcription Factor - metabolism; Testis; Testis - embryology; Testis - metabolism; transcription factors; Transcription Factors - deficiency; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Vertebrata; Viruses; Z chromosome; Australia; Male; Vertebrata; Chicken; Aves; Sex determination

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...