Putting the heat on sex determination

Jenny L. Harry*, David A. Briscoe, Keith L. Williams

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    9 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Sex determination and differentiation are inherently fascinating to both layperson and geneticist. Major advances have accelerated interest in the molecular genetic events mediating these processes in nematodes, flies, mice and humans. Far less attention has been paid to those organisms, particularly reptiles, where sex is determined by environmental cues. However, recent experimental evidence suggests that the two modes of sex determination may not only share common genetic elements, but may also be regulated by similar mechanisms. We argue that the ability to manipulate sex by temperature provides a particularly suitable model for exploring the molecular basis of this fundamental biological process.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1-6
    Number of pages6
    JournalGenetica
    Volume87
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jan 1992

    Keywords

    • drosophila
    • mammals
    • splicing mechanism
    • temperature
    • turtles

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