A sex-determining gene, fem-1, required for both male and hermaphrodite development in Caenorhabditis elegans

Doniach, Tabitha; Hodgkin, Jonathan

doi:10.1016/0012-1606(84)90077-0

Cited by 201 publications

(151 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…In XO animals, elevated her-1 activity inhibits tra-2 and permits the fem genes to bring about male development by negatively regulating tra-1. The fem genes have additional targets in the germ line, because they are required for spermatogenesis irrespective of the state of tra-1 (Doniach and Hodgkin 1984;Hodgkin 1986). (B) Molecular model of somatic sex determination.…”

Section: Fem-3 Interacts With the Carboxy-terminal Region Of Tra-2a Imentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Table 2 shows that HS-MycFEM-3 does not bypass the requirement for fem-1. Transgene expression caused no detectable masculinization in mutants homozygous for the putative null allele fem-1(e1991) (Doniach and Hodgkin 1984).…”

Section: Masculinization By Hs-fem-3 Requires the Activity Of Fem-1 Amentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The activity of tra-2 is necessary for female cell fates in XX hermaphrodites (Hodgkin and Brenner 1977), whereas the fem genes are required for male cell fates both in XO males and in the germ line of XX hermaphrodites (Doniach and Hodgkin 1984;Kimble et al 1984;Hodgkin 1986). Genetic epistasis analysis suggests that tra-2 activity promotes female development by negatively regulating the activity of at least one of the fem genes (Doniach and Hodgkin 1984;Hodgkin 1986).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Genetic epistasis analysis suggests that tra-2 activity promotes female development by negatively regulating the activity of at least one of the fem genes (Doniach and Hodgkin 1984;Hodgkin 1986). The major feminizing activity of tra-2 resides in a large integral membrane protein known as TRA-2A.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both genetic and molecular evidence suggest that the fem genes are post-transcriptionally regulated (Doniach and Hodgkin 1984;Hodgkin 1986;Rosenquist and Kimble 1988;Ahringer and Kimble 1991;Ahringer et al 1992;Gaudet et al 1996). A simple model (Fig.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Negative regulation of male development in Caenorhabditis elegans by a protein-protein interaction between TRA-2A and FEM-3

Mehra¹,

Gaudet²,

Heck³

et al. 1999

Genes & Development

103

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The tra-2 gene of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans encodes a predicted membrane protein, TRA-2A, that promotes XX hermaphrodite development. Genetic analysis suggests that tra-2 is a negative regulator of three genes that are required for male development: fem-1, fem-2, and fem-3. We report that the carboxy-terminal region of TRA-2A interacts specifically with FEM-3 in the yeast two-hybrid system and in vitro. Consistent with the idea that FEM-3 is a target of negative regulation, we find that excess FEM-3 can overcome the feminizing effect of tra-2 and cause widespread masculinization of XX somatic tissues. In turn, we show that the masculinizing effects of excess FEM-3 can be suppressed by overproduction of the carboxy-terminal domain of TRA-2A. A FEM-3 fragment that retains TRA-2A-binding activity can masculinize fem-3(+) animals, but not fem-3 mutants, suggesting that it is possible to release and to activate endogenous FEM-3 by titrating TRA-2A. We propose that TRA-2A prevents male development by interacting directly with FEM-3 and that a balance between the opposing activities of TRA-2A and FEM-3 determines sex-specific cell fates in somatic tissues. When the balance favors FEM-3, it acts through or with the other FEM proteins to promote male cell fates.

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Section: Fem-3 Interacts With the Carboxy-terminal Region Of Tra-2a Imentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Masculinization By Hs-fem-3 Requires the Activity Of Fem-1 Amentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Negative regulation of male development in Caenorhabditis elegans by a protein-protein interaction between TRA-2A and FEM-3

Mehra¹,

Gaudet²,

Heck³

et al. 1999

Genes & Development

103

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The Sperm/Oocyte Decision, aC. elegansPerspective

Ellis¹

2010

Oogenesis

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A parallel between development and evolution: Germ cell recruitment by the gonads

Denis

1994

BioEssays

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In gonad‐bearing animals gametogenesis can be divided into three main phases. During embryonic development the primordial gem cells move towards the gonadal primordia. A long, intra‐gonadal phase follows during which the germ cells grow and differentiate. Mature germ cells are finally released from the gonads and brought to the exterior. Thus, germ cells are successively motile, non‐motile and motile again. This complex life history is given here a simple evolutionary interpretation. The basic assumption is that primitive Metazoa already had germ cells, but no gonads to harbour them. Higher animals acquired gonads, which sequestered the germ cells, thus creating the temporary confinement experienced by germ cells in most present‐day Metazoa. This evolutionalry scheme may explain why several steps of germ cell differentation are totally or partially independent of the gonads. These steps presumably existed in primitive, gonad‐free Metazoa, and conserved their autonomy in higher animals.

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A sex-determining gene, fem-1, required for both male and hermaphrodite development in Caenorhabditis elegans

Cited by 201 publications

References 24 publications

Negative regulation of male development in Caenorhabditis elegans by a protein-protein interaction between TRA-2A and FEM-3

Negative regulation of male development in Caenorhabditis elegans by a protein-protein interaction between TRA-2A and FEM-3

The Sperm/Oocyte Decision, aC. elegansPerspective

A parallel between development and evolution: Germ cell recruitment by the gonads

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