Dmy initiates masculinity by altering Gsdf/Sox9a2/Rspo1 expression in medaka (Oryzias latipes)

Sci Rep. 2016 Jan 25:6:19480. doi: 10.1038/srep19480.

Abstract

Despite identification of several sex-determining genes in non-mammalian vertebrates, their detailed molecular cascades of sex determination/differentiation are not known. Here, we used a novel RNAi to characterise the molecular mechanism of Dmy (the sex-determining gene of medaka)-mediated masculinity in XY fish. Dmy knockdown (Dmy-KD) suppressed male pathway (Gsdf, Sox9a2, etc.) and favoured female cascade (Rspo1, etc.) in embryonic XY gonads, resulting in a fertile male-to-female sex-reversal. Gsdf, Sox9a2, and Rspo1 directly interacted with Dmy, and co-injection of Gsdf and Sox9a2 re-established masculinity in XY-Dmy-KD transgenics, insinuating that Dmy initiates masculinity by stimulating and suppressing Gsdf/Sox9a2 and Rspo1 expression, respectively. Gonadal expression of Wt1a starts prior to Dmy and didn't change upon Dmy-KD. Furthermore, Wt1a stimulated the promoter activity of Dmy, suggesting Wt1a as a regulator of Dmy. These findings provide new insights into the role of vertebrate sex-determining genes associated with the molecular interplay between the male and female pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence / genetics
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Female
  • Fish Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Fish Proteins / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Gonads / growth & development
  • Male
  • Mutation
  • Oryzias / genetics*
  • Oryzias / growth & development
  • SOX9 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • Sex Determination Processes / genetics*
  • Thrombospondins / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
  • WT1 Proteins / genetics
  • Y Chromosome / genetics

Substances

  • Fish Proteins
  • SOX9 Transcription Factor
  • Thrombospondins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • WT1 Proteins