动物性别决定基因及其同源性比较

Sex-determined Genes and Their Homologuous Comparison in Animals

有性繁殖是动物繁衍后代的主要方式,关于这一机制的分子生物学研究已经有了相当的进展。在对模式动物线虫、果蝇以及人类自身的性别决定机制的研究中,几个关键的基因已经被克隆,其分子特征和作用机制也得到详细的阐述。通过对性别决定基因的比较发现,在性别决定过程中其下游调节因子较上游更为保守,在进化途径中出现较早。现就近几年动物性别决定进化途径的研究进展进行综述。

Sexual reproduction is by far dominant in the nature. Biologists have spun the theories about it, but there is still no single clear answer. Molecular biology research provides a new insight for the genetic mechanism and the evolution of sexual reproduction. To date, several important genes playing roles in sex determination have been well characterized in model animals including silkworm, fruit fly, mouse and so on. The comparison of these genes will suggest valuable clues for understanding the prevalence and the advantage of sexual reproduction.