#sexdetermination
Deleting Enh13, a segment of non coding DNA, causes ♂️ mice to develop ♀️ organs. "Modifying both copies of Enh13 in ♀️ mice causes them to develop ♂️ genitals and small testes. ♀️ mice carrying just one modified copy of Enh13 still developed ♀️ organs, however."
🚨 Happy to see that my PhD work is finally published!
We present METALoci, a tool that integrates #3Dgenome and #Epigenetics to identify regulatory hubs.
Applied to #sexdetermination we uncover:
✔️ Non-coding regulatory region controlling Fgf9
✔️ Meis genes as key players
👉 rdcu.be/e5sm2
In summary, METALoci provides novel insights on #sexdetermination, from fundamental mechanisms of #generegulation to their relevance in vivo. (19/19) These and other interesting observations (as well as many Hi-C maps!) can be found in our paper. 🌀🧬 Have a look!
Cheers, sex & rock and roll. 🍻🤘
Our initial analyses revealed a high degree of conservation in TAD structures and moderate changes in A/B compartments.
3D chromatin structure seems to be mostly preformed before #sexdetermination occurs! (4/n)
Experimental setup of FACS-sorted gonadal populations
In our publication, we explored the 3D regulatory landscape of mammalian #sexdetermination in vivo, combining FACS sorting and low-input Hi-C.
Focusing on the cell lineage initiating this process: bipotential supporting cells that differentiate into granulosa (XX) or Sertoli (XY), in mice. (3/n)
Transgenic mice with XX karyotype when injected with Sry, developed male external genitalia. Koopman et al., 1991: https://www.nature.com/articles/351117a0
The discovery of Sry and the creation of a sex-reversed mouse. (a) Narrowing down of the testis-determining factor from the Y chromosome to the Sry gene. (ZFY: Zinc finger Y-chromosomal gene; SRY: Sex-determining Region of Y chromosome gene). Modified from (McLaren, 1990) and reprinted with permission from Nature. (b) The photo shooting for the cover of Nature was somewhat complicated: (from left to right) Nigel Vivian, Robin Lovell-Badge, and Peter Koopman are trying to get Randy to hang from a rod for the picture. (Image, courtesy of Jérôme Collignon). Image/Diagram adapted from: Stevant et al., 2018 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0303720718301230
Mammalian #sexdetermination is directed by the gonad, which can differentiate into ovary or testis. This depends on the presence or absence of a Y chromosome and the SRY gene. Sex-determining signals then induce a physical and behavioural transformation of the entire organism. (2/n)
21/n In summary, METALoci provide novel insights on #sexdetermination, going from fundamental mechanisms of #generegulation to their relevance in vivo.
This highlights the power of integrative genomic approaches to uncover the molecular underpinnings of developmental processes.
20/n Finally, we reconstructed gene-regulatory networks associated to #sexdetermination
These networks are highly dynamic and include key sex-determining factors, as well as novel regulators like Meis genes
5/n Our initial analyses revealed a high degree of conservation in TAD structures and moderate changes in A/B compartments.
3D chromatin structure seems to be mostly preformed before #sexdetermination occurs!
4/n We explored the 3D regulatory landscape of mammalian #sexdetermination in vivo, combining FACS sorting and low-input Hi-C.
Focusing on the cell lineage initiating this process: bipotential supporting cells that differentiate into granulosa (XX) or Sertoli (XY), in mice.
3/n Mammalian #sexdetermination is directed by the gonad, which can differentiate into ovary or testis.
This depends on the presence or absence of a Y chromosome and the SRY gene.
Sex-determining signals induce a physical and behavioral transformation of the entire organism.
1️⃣ 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘹𝘵
In mammals, the Y-chromosome gene Sry triggers testis development, while its absence leads to ovary formation. Although this is well known, scientists continue to ask how epigenetic regulation and 3D genome organisation control this process
#CNAG #StructuralGenomics #SexDetermination
Complementary sex determination (CSD) in bees and ants. Top left: Single-locus CSD is likely to be the predominant mode of sex determination in Hymenoptera. CSD loci have been identified in two species: the honeybee Apis mellifera and the invasive ant Linepithema humile. The tree shows evolutionary relationships between these species and Osmia bicornis, the main subject of this study. The origin of Hymenoptera is estimated as 386 million years ago and the common ancestor of Apoidea and Formicoidea is estimated as 153 million years ago. Top right: Under single-locus CSD, females are heterozygous at the CSD locus, whereas males are haploid and therefore hemizygous. A large number of CSD alleles are expected to segregate in outbred populations. A small proportion of homozygotes at the CSD locus are produced by chance, when parents share an allele, which results in the production of sterile diploid males. Middle: An O. bicornis nest consists of a row of cocoons in a tube. The mother lays fertilized diploid eggs deepest in the nest and unfertilized haploid eggs closer to the entrance. Eggs develop into adults inside cocoons. Diploid eggs typically develop into females whereas haploid eggs become male. A small proportion of diploids that are homozygous at the CSD locus develop into diploid males, which occur amongst females and are larger than haploid males. Bottom: A male and female red mason bee mating. Photo by Marie Louise Huskens.
#Haplodiploid inheritance is found in all species of #Hymenoptera. @mwbstr.bsky.social &co map the #sex determining #gene of the red mason #bee to the ANTSR gene region, suggesting a shared, ancient origin of #SexDetermination in bees & ants >150 Mya ago @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/47COEtH
Complementary sex determination (CSD) in bees and ants. Top left: Single-locus CSD is likely to be the predominant mode of sex determination in Hymenoptera. CSD loci have been identified in two species: the honeybee Apis mellifera and the invasive ant Linepithema humile. The tree shows evolutionary relationships between these species and Osmia bicornis, the main subject of this study. The origin of Hymenoptera is estimated as 386 million years ago and the common ancestor of Apoidea and Formicoidea is estimated as 153 million years ago. Top right: Under single-locus CSD, females are heterozygous at the CSD locus, whereas males are haploid and therefore hemizygous. A large number of CSD alleles are expected to segregate in outbred populations. A small proportion of homozygotes at the CSD locus are produced by chance, when parents share an allele, which results in the production of sterile diploid males. Middle: An O. bicornis nest consists of a row of cocoons in a tube. The mother lays fertilized diploid eggs deepest in the nest and unfertilized haploid eggs closer to the entrance. Eggs develop into adults inside cocoons. Diploid eggs typically develop into females whereas haploid eggs become male. A small proportion of diploids that are homozygous at the CSD locus develop into diploid males, which occur amongst females and are larger than haploid males. Bottom: A male and female red mason bee mating. Photo by Marie Louise Huskens.
#Haplodiploid inheritance is found in all species of #Hymenoptera. @mwbstr.bsky.social &co map the #sex determining #gene of the red mason #bee to the ANTSR gene region, suggesting a shared, ancient origin of #SexDetermination in bees & ants >150 Mya ago @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/47COEtH
Complementary sex determination (CSD) in bees and ants. Top left: Single-locus CSD is likely to be the predominant mode of sex determination in Hymenoptera. CSD loci have been identified in two species: the honeybee Apis mellifera and the invasive ant Linepithema humile. The tree shows evolutionary relationships between these species and Osmia bicornis, the main subject of this study. The origin of Hymenoptera is estimated as 386 million years ago and the common ancestor of Apoidea and Formicoidea is estimated as 153 million years ago. Top right: Under single-locus CSD, females are heterozygous at the CSD locus, whereas males are haploid and therefore hemizygous. A large number of CSD alleles are expected to segregate in outbred populations. A small proportion of homozygotes at the CSD locus are produced by chance, when parents share an allele, which results in the production of sterile diploid males. Middle: An O. bicornis nest consists of a row of cocoons in a tube. The mother lays fertilized diploid eggs deepest in the nest and unfertilized haploid eggs closer to the entrance. Eggs develop into adults inside cocoons. Diploid eggs typically develop into females whereas haploid eggs become male. A small proportion of diploids that are homozygous at the CSD locus develop into diploid males, which occur amongst females and are larger than haploid males. Bottom: A male and female red mason bee mating. Photo by Marie Louise Huskens.
#Haplodiploid inheritance is found in all species of #Hymenoptera. @mwbstr.bsky.social &co map the #sex determining #gene of the red mason #bee to the ANTSR gene region, suggesting a shared, ancient origin of #SexDetermination in bees & ants >150 Mya ago @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/47COEtH
Graphical summary of the paper, showin several plots from the manuscript, including a phylogenetic tree of bivalves.
2nd paper outta my PhD is NOW PUBLISHED😭
🧬🖥️ 🦑Here we show how comparative #genomics 🧬 is a powerful tool to detect putative #SexDetermination genes: Dmrt1L & SoxH from #bivalves 🦪 share evolutionary patterns with Sry from #mammals 🐗 but not with genes from
#drosophila 🪰
doi.org/10.1111/mec....
Bartagamen(Bearded Dragon)-Fans aufgepasst!
🐉
#Webinar nächsten Dienstag (in English): Forscher stellen das neu sequenzierte Genom der Bartagame vor - und was es über den Mechanismus der Geschlechtsbestimmung verrät.
Der ist ungewöhnlich, weil bei Bartagamen nicht nur die Genetik, sondern […]
Bearded dragons reveal new insights into reptile sex determination killbait.com/en/bearded-d... #genetics #beardeddragon #sexdetermination #genomics
Having only boys or girls sometimes runs in the family. Here's why #Science #Biology #Genetics #FamilyDynamics #SexDetermination
📢 One week left to apply, by July 15!
We are hiring a PhD and teaching assistant in the Biology Department @vubrussel.bsky.social! Dutch proficiency is required. Topics on #FrogSexChromosomes #SexDetermination #Speciation🌎🐸🧬
Apply here: jobs.vub.be/job/Elsene-D...
@academic-chatter.bsky.social
Come join us for a great lineup of speakers and diverse topics on #Sexchromosome, #Sexdetermination, #evolution! 👇
Virtual participation is possible 👉
smbe2025.scimeeting.cn/en/web/index...
@official-smbe.bsky.social #smbe2025 @academic-chatter.bsky.social
🧪 Researchers from Purdue University delve into the genetic mechanisms of sex determination in the model fern Ceratopteris richardii 🌿
📖 Full article: lnkd.in/dJcYUcPm
🔗 In Brief: lnkd.in/d2fZNhjr
#PlantBiology #SexDetermination #PlantScience #ThePlantCell #PlantDevelopment #EvolutionaryBiology
Relationships between the type of genetic sex-determination (GSD) system, adult sex ratio (ASR), and sex bias in demographic traits across tetrapods. Left: Phylogenetic distribution of the six variables across 453 tetrapod species. The innermost color circle shows the type of GSD (XX/XY and ZZ/ZW sex-chromosome systems abbreviated as XY and ZW, respectively), whereas the outer circles illustrate sex biases shown as female (red, negative values) or male (blue, positive values) bias, in the following order from inner circle to outer circle: ASR, birth sex ratio (both sex ratios depicted as deviations from 1:1), and sex differences in juvenile and adult mortality and maturation age. Right: Differences in ASR and other demographic traits between XY and ZW systems, shown as violin plots.
Why are tetrapods with ZZ/ZW sex-determination systems more male-skewed than XY/XX? Phylogenetic analyses of a large dataset of wild #tetrapod species reveal that #SexDetermination systems influence adult #SexRatio via sex-biased adult mortality @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/43qTysJ
Relationships between the type of genetic sex-determination (GSD) system, adult sex ratio (ASR), and sex bias in demographic traits across tetrapods. Left: Phylogenetic distribution of the six variables across 453 tetrapod species. The innermost color circle shows the type of GSD (XX/XY and ZZ/ZW sex-chromosome systems abbreviated as XY and ZW, respectively), whereas the outer circles illustrate sex biases shown as female (red, negative values) or male (blue, positive values) bias, in the following order from inner circle to outer circle: ASR, birth sex ratio (both sex ratios depicted as deviations from 1:1), and sex differences in juvenile and adult mortality and maturation age. Right: Differences in ASR and other demographic traits between XY and ZW systems, shown as violin plots.
Why are tetrapods with ZZ/ZW sex-determination systems more male-skewed than XY/XX?. Phylogenetic analyses of a large dataset of wild #tetrapod species reveal that #SexDetermination systems influence adult #SexRatio via sex-biased adult mortality @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/43qTysJ
Relationships between the type of genetic sex-determination (GSD) system, adult sex ratio (ASR), and sex bias in demographic traits across tetrapods. Left: Phylogenetic distribution of the six variables across 453 tetrapod species. The innermost color circle shows the type of GSD (XX/XY and ZZ/ZW sex-chromosome systems abbreviated as XY and ZW, respectively), whereas the outer circles illustrate sex biases shown as female (red, negative values) or male (blue, positive values) bias, in the following order from inner circle to outer circle: ASR, birth sex ratio (both sex ratios depicted as deviations from 1:1), and sex differences in juvenile and adult mortality and maturation age. Right: Differences in ASR and other demographic traits between XY and ZW systems, shown as violin plots.
Why are tetrapods with ZZ/ZW sex-determination systems more male-skewed than XY/XX?. Phylogenetic analyses of a large dataset of wild #tetrapod species reveal that #SexDetermination systems influence adult #SexRatio via sex-biased adult mortality @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/43qTysJ
Lab's new paper is out @jevbio.bsky.social 👇
#Dmrt1 #SexDetermination #Gonadalsexdifferentiation
Graphical abstract of: Depletion of Gtsf1L impairs development of eupyrene sperm and ovary in Bombyx mori
New research published in #RESInsectMolecBio shows depletion of Gtsf1L impairs development of eupyrene sperm and ovary in #BombyMori🧬
Read the article now🔽
doi.org/10.1111/imb.12988
@sassanasgari.bsky.social @gulianusslab.bsky.social @wiley.com
#oogenesis #SexDetermination #spermatogenesis
Graphical abstract of: Understanding the genetics of sex determination in insects and its relevance to genetic pest management
In our new #OpenAccess #RESInsectMolecBio article, learn about the #genetics of #SexDetermination in #insects and its relevance to genetic #PestManagement
Read the article now🔽
buff.ly/wnuFVGt
@sassanasgari.bsky.social @gulianusslab.bsky.social @wiley.com
Her current work focuses on the sexual differentiation of the somatic and germ line cells that form the mouse gonads, and on the mechanisms regulating sex determination. #sexdetermination #ovary ##germcells
