Sry, more than testis determination?

Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2011 Sep;301(3):R561-71. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00645.2010. Epub 2011 Jun 15.

Abstract

The Sry locus on the mammalian Y chromosome is the developmental switch responsible for testis determination. Inconsistent with this important function, the Sry locus is transcribed in adult males at times and in tissues not involved with testis determination. Sry is expressed in multiple tissues of the peripheral and central nervous system. Sry is derived from Sox3 and is similar to other SOXB family loci. The SOXB loci are responsible for nervous system development. Sry has been demonstrated to modulate the catecholamine pathway, so it should have functional consequences in the central and peripheral nervous system. The nervous system expression and potential function are consistent with Sry as a SOXB family member. In mammals, Sox3 is X-linked and undergoes dosage compensation in females. The expression of Sry in adult males allows for a type of sexual differentiation independent of circulating gonadal hormones. A quantitative difference in Sox3 plus Sry expression in males vs. females could drive changes in the transcriptome of these cells, differentiating male and female cells. Sry expression and its transcriptional effects should be considered when investigating sexual dimorphic phenotypes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nervous System / metabolism
  • Neurosecretory Systems / metabolism
  • Organogenesis
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Conformation
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors / genetics
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Sex Determination Processes
  • Sex-Determining Region Y Protein / chemistry
  • Sex-Determining Region Y Protein / genetics
  • Sex-Determining Region Y Protein / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Testis / embryology
  • Testis / metabolism*
  • Y Chromosome*

Substances

  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors
  • Sex-Determining Region Y Protein