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45 Expression of the testis‐determining gene, sry , in the human brain
Author(s) -
Mayer A.,
Lahr G.,
Pilgrim Ch.,
Swaab D.F.,
Reisen I.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
international journal of developmental neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.761
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1873-474X
pISSN - 0736-5748
DOI - 10.1016/0736-5748(96)80240-1
Subject(s) - testis determining factor , pilgrim , citation , library science , history , biology , genetics , gene , philosophy , computer science , theology , y chromosome
The “classical” hypothesis for sex differentiation of the mammalian brain is that sex steroids organize male-type neural circuitry irrespective of genetic sex. We have recently proposed that additional, possibly cell-intrinsic, regulatory mechanisms could be involved in the generation of sex-specific properties of neurons. One candidate gene is SRY the gene for the testis determining factor and belongs to the high-mobility group (HMG)-box family of DNA binding proteins. The Y chromosomal gene SRI’ encodes a putative transcription factor atich seems to be one of the master switch genes that, during embryogenesis initiate testicular development. We wished to know whether SRY is transcribed in hypothalamus and cortex of humans. Male and female brains were investigated. We could show by RT-PCR analysis that the SRY gene is transcribed in hypothalamus and cortex of adult males but not in females. We propose that SRY exerts a role in the regulation of sex differentiation of the human nervous system.