ABSTRACT
We have identified a gene with gonad restricted expression throughout mouse development, which is orthologous to human EKI2 (ethanolamine kinase 2). Our studies showed that mouse Eki2 expression became upregulated in the male gonad during the period of sex determination. Expression was restricted to the Sertoli cells of the developing testis. Eki2 has sequence similarity to ethanolamine (73%) and choline kinases (54%).
Subject(s)
Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)/genetics , Testis/metabolism , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Humans , Male , Mice , Molecular Sequence Data , Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)/metabolism , Sequence Alignment , Testis/embryology , Up-RegulationABSTRACT
Vertebrate DM domain genes encode a novel group of proteins related to the Drosophila doublesex and Caenorhabditis elegans mab-3 transcription factors. It is shown here that the recently identified gene, DMRT3, has a restricted embryonic expression profile that is conserved in chicken and mouse embryos. DMRT3 is expressed primarily in the forebrain, neural tube and nasal placode of both species. In the chicken, DMRT3 is also expressed in newly forming tail somites at early developmental stages and, later, in the Müllerian ducts of the urogenital system.
Subject(s)
Telencephalon/metabolism , Transcription Factors/genetics , Animals , Chick Embryo , Gonads/embryology , Gonads/metabolism , Mice/embryology , Mullerian Ducts/embryology , Mullerian Ducts/metabolism , Somites/metabolism , Telencephalon/embryology , Transcription Factors/biosynthesisABSTRACT
Vertebrate DM domain genes encode a novel group of proteins related to the Drosophila doublesex and Caenorhabditis elegans mab-3 transcription factors. It is shown here that the recently identified gene, DMRT3, has a restricted embryonic expression profile that is conserved in chicken and mouse embryos. DMRT3 is expressed primarily in the forebrain, neural tube and nasal placode of both species. In the chicken, DMRT3 is also expressed in newly forming tail somites at early developmental stages and, later, in the Müllerian ducts of the urogenital system.
