Sex-specific Doublesex^Mexpression in subsets of <it>Drosophila </it>somatic gonad cells

• Main Authors: Oliver Brian, Hempel Leonie U
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2007-10-01
• Series: BMC Developmental Biology
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-213X/7/113
• ISSN: 1471-213X

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In <it>Drosophila melanogaster</it>, a pre-mRNA splicing hierarchy controls sexual identity and ultimately leads to sex-specific Doublesex (DSX) transcription factor isoforms. The male-specific DSX^Mrepresses genes involved in female development and activates genes involved in male development. Spatial and temporal control of <it>dsx </it>during embryogenesis is not well documented.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we show that DSX^Mis specifically expressed in subsets of male somatic gonad cells during embryogenesis. Following testis formation, germ cells remain in contact with DSX^M-expressing cells, including hub cells and premeiotic somatic cyst cells that surround germ cells during spermatogenesis in larval and adult testes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We show that <it>dsx </it>is transcriptionally regulated in addition to being regulated at the pre-mRNA splicing level by the sex determination hierarchy. The <it>dsx </it>locus is spatially controlled by somatic gonad identity. The continuous expression of DSX^Min cells contacting the germline suggests an ongoing short-range influence of the somatic sex determination pathway on germ cell development.</p>