Fgf9 and Wnt4 Act as Antagonistic Signals to Regulate Mammalian Sex Determination
2006
How Fgf9 and Wnt4 Influence Sex Determination in Mice
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Yuna Kim, Blanche Capel
Hypothesis
How do Fgf9 and Wnt4 contribute to the initial events of sex determination in mice?
Conclusion
Fgf9 and Wnt4 interact in a dose-dependent manner to determine sex in mammals.
Supporting Evidence
- Fgf9 is required to maintain Sox9 expression in Sertoli precursor cells.
- Loss of Fgf9 in XY mice leads to sex reversal.
- Wnt4 becomes active only in female gonads, while Fgf9 becomes active only in male gonads.
Takeaway
This study shows that whether a mouse becomes a boy or a girl depends on the balance between two signals, Fgf9 and Wnt4, like a tug of war.
Methodology
The researchers manipulated the activity of Fgf9 and Wnt4 to observe their effects on sex determination in mice.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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