Nature employs a wide variety of sex determining mechanisms and it is only comparatively recently that the tools have become available for these to be explored at the cellular and molecular levels. A major landmark was the discovery in 1990 of the
SRY gene and the subsequent demonstration of its key role in triggering male sex determination in transgenic mice.
This book reviews and discusses our current understanding of the molecular genetic pathways of sex determination, with special emphasis on vertebrates. It features comparisons with other modes of sex determination, consideration of the biology of sexual development and discussion of the evolution of sex-determining mechanisms.
By bringing together an international and interdisciplinary group of experts who study many different aspects of the problem, the book highlights much new and exciting work in this area and serves to identify and stimulate promising new research directions.
Although nature employs a wide variety of sex-determining mechanisms, it is only comparatively recently that the tools have become available for these to be explored at the molecular and cellular levels. A major landmark was the discovery in 1990 of the Sry gene and the subsequent demonstration of its key role in triggering male sex determination in transgenic mice. Since that time, while other key genes in the sex-determining pathway have been uncovered, the story remains far from complete.
This ground-breaking book draws together leading researchers to review and discuss the most recent advances in the understanding of the molecular genetic pathways of sex determination. Coverage includes the genetics and biochemistry of mammalian sex determination, comparisons with other modes of sex determination, and consideration of the biology of sexual development and of the evolution of sex-determining mechanisms. A major theme running through several chapters is the value of comparative studies of sex-determining mechanisms in different species. In addition, clinical aspects and the genetic analysis of anomalies of human sexual development are also addressed. This exciting book reviews much new and exciting work in this area and identifies promising new research directions.
