Biological differences between men and women contribute to many sex-specific illnesses
and disorders. Historically, it was argued that such differences were largely, if not …

SRY, the mammalian Y-chromosomal testis-determining gene, induces male sex
determination. Recent studies in mice reveal that the major role of SRY is to achieve …

The transcription factor SOX9 is essential for the development of multiple organs including
bone, testis, heart, lung, pancreas, intestine and nervous system. Mutations in the human …

Sex-specific gonadal development starts with formation of the bipotential gonad, which then
differentiates into either a mature testis or an ovary. This process is dependent on activation …

The divergence of distinct cell populations from multipotent progenitors is poorly understood,
particularly in vivo. The gonad is an ideal place to study this process, because it originates …

Disorders of sex development (DSD) are congenital conditions in which the development of
chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex is atypical. Many of the genes required for gonad …

The bipotential gonad expresses genes associated with both the male and female
pathways. Adoption of the male testicular fate is associated with the repression of many …

Male sex determination is mediated sequentially by sex-determining region Y (SRY) and
related SRY-box 9 (SOX9) transcription factors. To understand the gene regulatory hierarchy …

The group E SOX proteins consist of SOX8, SOX9 and SOX10. These transcription factors
contain, besides a DNA-binding HMG domain and a transactivation domain, a DNA …

Mice lacking the function of the polycomb group protein CBX2 (chromobox homolog 2; also
known as M33) show defects in gonadal, adrenal, and splenic development. In particular …