PUBLICATION

Zebrafish sex determination and differentiation: Involvement of FTZ-F1 genes

Authors
von Hofsten, J., and Olsson, P.E.
ID
ZDB-PUB-051114-11
Date
2005
Source
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinolgy   3(1): 63 (Review)
Registered Authors
von Hofsten, Jonas
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Anti-Mullerian Hormone
  • Aromatase/genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
  • Erythroid-Specific DNA-Binding Factors/genetics
  • Female
  • Fushi Tarazu Transcription Factors/genetics*
  • Glycoproteins/genetics
  • HMGB Proteins/genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins/genetics
  • Male
  • Models, Genetic
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/genetics
  • SOX9 Transcription Factor
  • Sex Determination Processes*
  • Sex Differentiation/physiology*
  • Steroidogenic Factor 1
  • Testicular Hormones/genetics
  • Transcription Factors/genetics
  • WT1 Proteins/genetics
  • Zebrafish/genetics*
  • Zebrafish Proteins/genetics
PubMed
16281973 Full text @ Reprod. Biol. Endocrinol.
Abstract
Sex determination is the process deciding the sex of a developing embryo. This is usually determined genetically; however it is a delicate process, which in many cases can be influenced by environmental factors. The mechanisms controlling zebrafish sex determination and differentiation are not known. To date no sex linked genes have been identified in zebrafish and no sex chromosomes have been identified. However, a number of genes, as presented here, have been linked to the process of sex determination or differentiation in zebrafish. The zebrafish FTZ-F1 genes are of central interest as they are involved in regulating interrenal development and thereby steroid biosynthesis, as well as that they show expression patterns congruent with reproductive tissue differentiation and function. Zebrafish can be sex reversed by exposure to estrogens, suggesting that the estrogen levels are crucial during sex differentiation. The Cyp19 gene product aromatase converts testosterone into 17 beta-estradiol, and when inhibited leads to male to female sex reversal. FTZ-F1 genes are strongly linked to steroid biosynthesis and the regulatory region of Cyp19 contains binding sites for FTZ-F1 genes, further linking FTZ-F1 to this process. The role of FTZ-F1 and other candidates for zebrafish sex determination and differentiation is in focus of this review.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping