Molecular aspects of sex determination in mice: an alternative model for the origin of the Sxr region

Abstract

Using a combination of in situ mapping and DNA analysis with recombinant DNA probes specific for the Sxr region of the mouse Y chromosome, we show that both the gene(s) controlling primary sex determination and the expression of the male-specific antigen H-Y (Tdy and Hya respectively) are located on the minute short arm of the mouse Y chromosome. We demonstrate that the H-Y- variant of Sxr (Sxr') arose by a partial deletion within the Sxr region and propose an alternative model for the generation of the original Sxr region.

Y chromosome short arm-Sxr recombination in XSxr/Y males causes deletion of Rbm and XY female sex reversal.

“…Indeed, the 36-kb region containing the Sry structural gene proved to be intact, and all other single-copy Yp markers tested were present on all three yd chromosomes (10). The only evidence of chromosomal deletion was a reduction in the copy number of a Y-linked repetitive element, Sxl (11,12). Most of the Sxl sequences were deleted in ydl, whereas in yd2 and yd3 there was a less extreme reduction (10).…”

Studies on wild house mice VI: Differential effects of the Y chromosome on intermale aggression

“…One part is called the pseudoautosomal region (PAR). This part is at the telomeric end of the long arm of the mouse Y chromosome and obligatory recombines with the X chromosome [Bishop et al, 1988;Keitges et al, 19871. The other part is the conservative part, which normally does not recombine with the X chromosome, abbreviated as non-PAR.…”