Gain-of-function mechanism of Sox3 as a sex-determining gene in Oryzias dancena

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25840092
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Developmental biology
• Research Institution: National Institute for Basic Biology
• Principal Investigator: TAKEHANA Yusuke 基礎生物学研究所, バイオリソース研究室, 助教 (60432093)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 性決定遺伝子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Our previous study demonstrated that Sox3 on the Y chromosome is the sex-determining gene in Oryzias dancena. To elucidate whether Sox3 is originally involved in sex determination/differentiation in Oryzias, we generated Sox3-KO Oryzias latipes using TALEN technique, and obtained loss-of-function type mutations. Homozygous mutants survived after sexual maturation, and no phenotypic defect is observed. Homozygous XX developed as phenotypic females and YY as males. Furthermore, testis structure of homozygous XY mutant looks normal, suggesting that Sox3 is not necessary for gonadal development or testis differentiation in O. latipes. These results suggest that sex-determining function of Sox3 arose through acquisition of the novel expression patten at developing gonad in Oryzias dancena.

Free Research Field

遺伝学