两栖动物的性别决定研究新进展

Advances in the Sex Determination Mechanisms of Amphibians

两栖动物的不同科或属,乃至同一物种不同的地理种群内具有两种不同的性别决定系统,这种系统发生分布特征显示两栖动物的性别决定系统经历了多次转换。同型性染色体在许多两栖动物中存在,"高频转换"假说和"fountain-of-youth"假说是其形成的两种可能机制。激素在两栖动物性别决定早期起着重要作用。此外,我们还重点介绍了两栖动物中迄今唯一确认的性别决定基因(DM-W基因)。该综述将增进对两栖动物性别决定机制的多样性及其起源的认识,并为濒危两栖动物的物种保护和种群恢复以及养殖群体的利用提供科学依据。

Two heterogametic types （XX/XY and ZZ/ZW） for genetic sex determination are present within families or genera of amphibians, and even in different geographic populations of one species. This phylogenetic distribution suggests the transitions between the two heterogametic types may frequently occur in this lineage. Homomorphic sex chromosome is prevalent in amphibian, and both ＂high-turnover＂ and ＂fountain-of-youth＂ hypotheses may explain this phenomenon. Steroids are the key factors for sex determination during the early stage of sexual development. Additionally, the recently identified DM-W gene, was introduced as the only known sex determination gene in amphibian. This brief review would contribute to understand the origin and evolution of sex determination mechanisms of amphibians, to protect the wild population of en- dangered amphibians, and to make better use of those aquatic amphibian species.