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Neurogenetics

A male gene for a male brain

Nature Reviews Genetics volume 7, page 244 (2006)Cite this article

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Sry is a transcriptional regulator and is best known as the master controller of male sexual development. However, previous studies have shown that, intriguingly, this gene is also expressed in the adult male brain. Vilain and colleagues confirmed this, showing that Sry mRNA is present at a low level throughout the brain cortex in male mice, and at higher levels in two regions: the mammillary bodies and the substantia nigra (SN). Focusing on the SN, which controls voluntary movement, the authors showed that the SRY protein colocalizes with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), an enzyme that is involved in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is essential for the functioning of this region.

To investigate the functions of SRY in TH-expressing cells, male rat SNs were microinfused with antisense oligonucleotides targeted against Sry. This led to reduced TH expression in the SN and in regions that are usually innervated by TH-expressing neurons, showing that SRY directly regulates the expression of this enzyme. The authors were also able to show that SRY expression in the SN has a functional consequence. Microinfusion of Sry antisense oligonucleotides into the SN on one side of the brain reduced the stepping activity of rats using the forelimb on the corresponding side of the body.

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ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER

  1. Dewing, P. et al. Direct regulation of adult brain function by the male-specific factor SRY. Curr. Biol. 16, 415–420 (2006)

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Authors
  1. Louisa Flintoft
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Flintoft, L. A male gene for a male brain. Nat Rev Genet 7, 244 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg1843

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