Double nexus--Doublesex is the connecting element in sex determination

In recent years, our knowledge of the conserved master-switch gene doublesex (dsx) and its function in regulating the development of dimorphic traits in insects has deepened considerably. Here, a comprehensive overview is given on the properties of the male- and female-specific dsx transcripts yield...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Briefings in functional genomics 2015-11, Vol.14 (6), p.396-406
Main Authors: Verhulst, Eveline C, van de Zande, Louis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
DNA-Binding Proteins - genetics
Drosophila melanogaster - genetics
Drosophila Proteins - genetics
Female
Laboratorium voor Erfelijkheidsleer
Laboratory of Genetics
Male
PE&RC
Sex Determination Processes - genetics
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Summary:In recent years, our knowledge of the conserved master-switch gene doublesex (dsx) and its function in regulating the development of dimorphic traits in insects has deepened considerably. Here, a comprehensive overview is given on the properties of the male- and female-specific dsx transcripts yielding DSX(F) and DSX(M) proteins in Drosophila melanogaster, and the many downstream targets that they regulate. As insects have cell-autonomous sex determination, it was assumed that dsx would be expressed in every somatic cell, but recent research showed that dsx is expressed only when a cell is required to show its sexual identity through function or morphology. This spatiotemporal regulation of dsx expression has not only been established in D. melanogaster but in all insect species studied. Gradually, it has been appreciated that dsx could no longer be viewed as the master-switch gene orchestrating sexual development and behaviour in each cell, but instead should be viewed as the interpreter for the sexual identity of the cell, expressing this identity only on request, making dsx the central nexus of insect sex determination.
ISSN:2041-2649
2041-2657
DOI:10.1093/bfgp/elv005