Autonomy and nonautonomy of sex determination in triploid intersex mosaics of C. elegans

Development ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 112 (3) ◽  
pp. 863-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Schedin ◽  
C.P. Hunter ◽  
W.B. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Postembryonic Development ◽  
X Chromosomes ◽  
Partial Duplication ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
The Third ◽  
Posterior Position ◽  
Triploid Intersex ◽  
Anterior Posterior

The primary sex-determining signal in Caenorhabditis elegans is the ratio of X chromosomes to sets of autosomes (X/A ratio), normally 1.0 in hermaphrodites (XX) and 0.5 in males (XO). XX triploids (X/A = 0.67) are males, but if these animals carry a partial duplication of the X chromosome such that X/A approximately equal to 0.7, they develop as intersexes that are sexually mosaic. We have analyzed these mosaics using Nomarski microscopy and in situ hybridization to obtain information on whether sex determination decisions can be made independently in different cells and tissues, and when these commitments are made. The observed patterns of male and female cells in individual animals indicate that sex determination decisions can be influenced by anterior-posterior position and that sex determination decisions can be made as late as the third larval stage of postembryonic development. Although these decisions clearly can be made independently in different lineages, they show substantial biases toward one sex or the other in individual animals. We interpret these results to suggest that sex determination in C. elegans is not entirely cell autonomous.

Specification of anterior-posterior differences within the AB lineage in the C. elegans embryo: a polarising induction

Development ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 121 (5) ◽  
pp. 1559-1568 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Hutter ◽  
R. Schnabel
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fate ◽  
Tissue Type ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Anterior Portion ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
The Third ◽  
Inductive Signal ◽  
Anterior Posterior ◽  
Lineage Analysis

In a C. elegans embryo the third cleavages of descendants of the anterior blastomere AB of the 2-cell stage create pairs of blastomeres that develop differently. By laser ablation experiments we show that the fates of all the posterior daughters of this division depend on an induction occurring three cleavages before these blastomeres are born. The time of induction precludes a direct effect on cell fate. Alternatively, we suggest that the induction creates a heritable cell polarity which is propagated through several divisions. We suggest a model to demonstrate how a signal could be propagated through several rounds of cell division. An important implication of our observations is that this early induction acts to specify blastomere identity, not tissue type. A detailed lineage analysis revealed that altering the inductive signal alters complex lineage patterns as a whole. The induction described here, together with two inductions described previously can be used to illustrate how the anterior portion of the C. elegans embryo can be successively subdivided into blastomeres with unique developmental potential.

Clues from other animals and theoretical considerations

Development ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 101 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 3-4
Author(s):  
Anne McLaren
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Genetic Control ◽  
Y Chromosome ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
X Chromosomes ◽  
The Third ◽  
Mouse Species ◽  
Primary Male ◽  
Theoretical Considerations ◽  
State Of Activity

In the first two papers of this volume, the genetic control of sex determination in Caenorhabditis and Drosophila is reviewed by Hodgkin and by Nöthiger & Steinmarin-Zwicky, respectively. Sex determination in both cases depends on the ratio of X chromosomes to autosomes, which acts as a signal to a cascade of règulatory genes located either on autosomes or on the X chromosome. The state of activity of the last gene in the sequence determines phenotypic sex. In the third paper, Erickson & Tres describe the structure of the mouse Y chromosome and the polymorphisms that have been detected in different mouse species and strains. As in all mammals, the Y carries the primary male-determining locus; autosomal genes may also be involved in sex determination, but they must act down-stream from the Y-linked locus.

scholarly journals The DM Domain Transcription Factor MAB-3 Regulates Male Hypersensitivity to Oxidative Stress in Caenorhabditis elegans

2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (14) ◽  
pp. 3453-3459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideki Inoue ◽  
Eisuke Nishida
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Sex Determination ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Stress Sensitivity ◽  
Gata Factor ◽  
X Chromosomes ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Dm Domain

ABSTRACT Sex differences occur in most species and involve a variety of biological characteristics. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans consists of two sexes, self-fertile hermaphrodites (XX) and males (XO). Males differ from hermaphrodites in morphology, behavior, and life span. Here, we find that male C. elegans worms are much more sensitive than hermaphrodites to oxidative stress and show that the DM domain transcription factor MAB-3 plays a pivotal role in determining this male hypersensitivity. The hypersensitivity to oxidative stress does not depend on the dosage of X chromosomes but is determined by the somatic sex determination pathway. Our analyses show that the male hypersensitivity is controlled by MAB-3, one of the downstream effectors of the master terminal switch TRA-1 in the sex determination pathway. Moreover, we find that MAB-3 suppresses expression of several transcriptional target genes of the ELT-2 GATA factor, which is a global regulator of transcription in the C. elegans intestine, and show that RNA interference (RNAi) against elt-2 increases sensitivity to oxidative stress. These results strongly suggest that the DM domain protein MAB-3 regulates oxidative stress sensitivity by repressing transcription of ELT-2 target genes in the intestine.

Primary sex determination in the nematode C. elegans

Development ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 101 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 5-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Hodgkin
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
X Chromosomes ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Determination System ◽  
One Step ◽  
Sex Determination System ◽  
Specific Control

Most nematodes have XO male/XX female sex determination. C. elegans is anomalous, having XX hermaphrodites rather than females. The hermaphrodite condition appears to result from the modification of a basic male/female sex-determination system, which permits both spermatogenesis and oogenesis to occur within a female soma. This modification is achieved by a germ-line-specific control acting at one step in a cascade of autosomal regulatory genes, which respond to X-chromosome dosage and direct male, female, or hermaphrodite development. Mutations of one of these genes can be used to construct artificial strains with ZZ male/WZ female sex determination. Primary sex determination normally depends on the ratio of X chromosomes to autosomes, as in Drosophila, and there appear to be multiple sites on the X chromosome that contribute to this ratio. Also, as in Drosophila, X-chromosome expression is compensated to equalize gene activity in XX and XO animals. Interactions between dosage compensation and sex determination are described and discussed.

scholarly journals Relative frequencies of the “sex-ratio” inversion in natural populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura from Mexico

Genetika ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Víctor Salceda
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Sex Determination ◽  
Salivary Glands ◽  
Sex Chromosome ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Drosophila Pseudoobscura ◽  
X Chromosomes ◽  
The Third ◽  
Single Larva ◽  
East West

Sex-ratio (proportion of males) in a species is related to a not entirely explained mechanism of sex determination. In Drosophila, sex is determined by the proportion of X chromosomes vs. autosomes. A decrease in the proportion of males vs. females, known as sex-ratio, is characteristic to several Drosophila species, and is related to an inversion in the sexual chromosome the so called ?sex-ratio? (SR) condition. In this occasion we study the presence of that inversion in several populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura from Mexico. With this purpose we did collections of this species on Nevado de Colima,Col., Valpara?so, Zac, Zirahu?n, Mich., Tulancingo, Hgo. and Amecameca, Mex. Flies were captured in nature and carried to the laboratory were individual cultures of each female were established, when the offsprig emerged salivary glands of a single larva from each culture were extracted and stained with an aceto-orcein solution and the corresponding genotype for the third and sex chromosome determined and their relative frequencies calculated. The corresponding frequencies of the ?sex-ratio? inversion in the localities analyzed were: Nevado de Colima 21.8 %, Valparaiso 18.8 %, Zirahu?n 11.4 %, Tulancingo 6.8 % and Amecameca 6.8 %. Apparently an East-West cline distribution is present in these populations. Relative frequencies for inversions in the third chomosome were recorded and relationships between third and X chromosomes inversions performed. Comparisons with similar studies on this and other species are pointed out.

scholarly journals Quantitative Analysis of Cytokinesis In Situ during C. elegans Postembryonic Development

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e110689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karine G. Bourdages ◽  
Benjamin Lacroix ◽  
Jonas F. Dorn ◽  
Carlos P. Descovich ◽  
Amy S. Maddox
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Postembryonic Development ◽  
C Elegans

Anterior organization of the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo by the labial-like Hox gene ceh-13

Development ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 126 (7) ◽  
pp. 1537-1546 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Brunschwig ◽  
C. Wittmann ◽  
R. Schnabel ◽  
T.R. Burglin ◽  
H. Tobler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Hox Genes ◽  
Postembryonic Development ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Expression Domain ◽  
Cell Fates ◽  
Hox Gene ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Anterior Body ◽  
Anterior Posterior

The Caenorhabditis elegans lin-39, mab-5 and egl-5 Hox genes specify cell fates along the anterior-posterior body axis of the nematode during postembryonic development, but little is known about Hox gene functions during embryogenesis. Here, we show that the C. elegans labial-like gene ceh-13 is expressed in cells of many different tissues and lineages and that the rostral boundary of its expression domain is anterior to those of the other Hox genes. By transposon-mediated mutagenesis, we isolated a zygotic recessive ceh-13 loss-of-function allele, sw1, that exhibits an embryonic sublethal phenotype. Lineage analyses and immunostainings revealed defects in the organization of the anterior lateral epidermis and anterior body wall muscle cells. The epidermal and mesodermal identity of these cells, however, is correctly specified. ceh-13(sw1) mutant embryos also show fusion and adhesion defects in ectodermal cells. This suggests that ceh-13 plays a role in the anterior organization of the C. elegans embryo and is involved in the regulation of cell affinities.

Expression of the homeotic gene mab-5 during Caenorhabditis elegans embryogenesis

Development ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 481-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.W. Cowing ◽  
C. Kenyon
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Postembryonic Development ◽  
Early Embryogenesis ◽  
Lacz Fusion ◽  
Homeotic Genes ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Developmental Factors ◽  
Cell Embryo ◽  
Anterior Posterior

mab-5 is a member of a complex of homeobox-containing genes evolutionarily related to the Antennapedia and bithorax complexes of Drosophila melanogaster. Like the homeotic genes in Drosophila, mab-5 is required in a particular region along the anterior-posterior body axis, and acts during postembryonic development to give cells in this region their characteristic identities. We have used a mab-5-lacZ fusion integrated into the C. elegans genome to study the posterior-specific expression of mab-5 during embryogenesis. The mab-5-lacZ fusion was expressed in the posterior of the embryo by 180 minutes after the first cleavage, indicating that the mechanisms responsible for the position-specific expression of mab-5-lacZ act at a relatively early stage of embryogenesis. In embryos homozygous for mutations in the par genes, which disrupt segregation of factors during early cleavages, expression of mab-5-lacZ was no longer localized to the posterior. This suggests that posterior-specific expression of mab-5 depends on the appropriate segregation of developmental factors during early embryogenesis. After extrusion of any blastomere of the four-cell embryo, descendants of the remaining three cells could still express the mab-5-lacZ fusion. In these partial embryos, however, the fusion was often expressed in cells scattered throughout the embryo, suggesting that cell-cell interactions and/or proper positioning of early blastomeres are required for mab-5 expression to be localized to the posterior.

Patterning of the embryo along the anterior-posterior axis: the role of the caudal genes

Development ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 124 (19) ◽  
pp. 3805-3814 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Epstein ◽  
G. Pillemer ◽  
R. Yelin ◽  
J.K. Yisraeli ◽  
A. Fainsod
Keyword(s):  
Antisense Rna ◽  
Hox Genes ◽  
Homeobox Genes ◽  
Regulatory Function ◽  
Regulatory Interactions ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Posterior Position ◽  
Anterior Posterior ◽  
Anterior Posterior Axis

Patterning along the anterior-posterior axis takes place during gastrulation and early neurulation. Homeobox genes like Otx-2 and members of the Hox family have been implicated in this process. The caudal genes in Drosophila and C. elegans have been shown to determine posterior fates. In vertebrates, the caudal genes begin their expression during gastrulation and they take up a posterior position. By injecting sense and antisense RNA of the Xenopus caudal gene Xcad-2, we have studied a number of regulatory interactions among homeobox genes along the anterior-posterior axis. Initially, the Xcad-2 and Otx-2 genes are mutually repressed and, by late gastrulation, they mark the posterior- or anterior-most domains of the embryo, respectively. During late gastrulation and neurulation, Xcad-2 plays an additional regulatory function in relation to the Hox genes. Hox genes normally expressed anteriorly are repressed by Xcad-2 overexpression while those normally expressed posteriorly exhibit more anterior expression. The results show that the caudal genes are part of a posterior determining network which during early gastrulation functions in the subdivision of the embryo into anterior head and trunk domains. Later in gastrulation and neurulation these genes play a role in the patterning of the trunk region.

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