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Friday, June 15, 2018 3:23:37 PM
Non-coding DNA changes the genitals you're born with
"Neanderthals live on in human genes—but we’re only beginning to understand how they shaped us"
Date: June 14, 2018
Source: The Francis Crick Institute
Summary:
Male mice grow ovaries instead of testes if they are missing a small region of DNA that doesn't contain any genes -- a finding
that could help explain disorders of sex development in humans, at least half of which have an unknown genetic cause.
From left: male (XY) mouse with female genitalia and female (XX) mouse.
Credit: Greta Keenan, Francis Crick InstituteImage courtesy of The Francis Crick Institute
Male mice grow ovaries instead of testes if they are missing a small region of DNA that doesn't contain any genes, finds a new paper published in Science.
The study, led by researchers at the Francis Crick Institute, could help explain disorders of sex development in humans, at least half of which have an unknown genetic cause.
Mammals will develop ovaries and become females unless the early sex organs have enough of a protein called SOX9 at a key stage in their development. SOX9 causes these organs to become testes, which then direct the rest of the embryo to become male.
The amount of SOX9 produced is controlled initially by the SRY protein encoded by the Sry gene, which is located on the Y chromosome. This is why males, who have an X chromosome and a Y chromosome, usually develop testes while females, who have two X chromosomes, do not.
Only 2% of human DNA contains the 'code' to produce proteins, key building blocks of life. The remaining 98% is 'non-coding' and was once thought to be unnecessary 'junk' DNA, but there is increasing evidence that it can play important roles.
The latest study adds to this evidence, showing that a small piece of DNA called enhancer 13 (Enh13), located over half a million bases away from the Sox9 gene, boosts SOX9 protein production at the right moment to trigger testes development. When the team genetically removed Enh13 from male (XY) mice, they developed ovaries and female genitalia.
More - https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180614213729.htm
"Neanderthals live on in human genes—but we’re only beginning to understand how they shaped us"
Date: June 14, 2018
Source: The Francis Crick Institute
Summary:
Male mice grow ovaries instead of testes if they are missing a small region of DNA that doesn't contain any genes -- a finding
that could help explain disorders of sex development in humans, at least half of which have an unknown genetic cause.
From left: male (XY) mouse with female genitalia and female (XX) mouse.
Credit: Greta Keenan, Francis Crick InstituteImage courtesy of The Francis Crick Institute
Male mice grow ovaries instead of testes if they are missing a small region of DNA that doesn't contain any genes, finds a new paper published in Science.
The study, led by researchers at the Francis Crick Institute, could help explain disorders of sex development in humans, at least half of which have an unknown genetic cause.
Mammals will develop ovaries and become females unless the early sex organs have enough of a protein called SOX9 at a key stage in their development. SOX9 causes these organs to become testes, which then direct the rest of the embryo to become male.
The amount of SOX9 produced is controlled initially by the SRY protein encoded by the Sry gene, which is located on the Y chromosome. This is why males, who have an X chromosome and a Y chromosome, usually develop testes while females, who have two X chromosomes, do not.
Only 2% of human DNA contains the 'code' to produce proteins, key building blocks of life. The remaining 98% is 'non-coding' and was once thought to be unnecessary 'junk' DNA, but there is increasing evidence that it can play important roles.
The latest study adds to this evidence, showing that a small piece of DNA called enhancer 13 (Enh13), located over half a million bases away from the Sox9 gene, boosts SOX9 protein production at the right moment to trigger testes development. When the team genetically removed Enh13 from male (XY) mice, they developed ovaries and female genitalia.
More - https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180614213729.htm
It was Plato who said, “He, O men, is the wisest, who like Socrates, knows that his wisdom is in truth worth nothing”
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