Japanese researchers say they’ve identified an enzyme that plays a key role in determining the male-female functions in mammals.
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They say genetically male mice whose ability to produce the enzyme was deactivated developed wombs and mammary glands. The mice also gained the ability to give birth.
source: NHK; “Researchers identify enzyme for sex determination“
Scientists have uncovered a key element of sex determination, finding that the absence of one particular enzyme causes individuals with male sex chromosomes -XY- to develop as female.
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The study represents the first time that an epigenetic regulator of sex determination has been established. Epigenetic regulation refers to any element that is independent of the DNA sequence but which affects gene expression – in this case, an enzyme.
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source: Health Canal; “Enzyme helps determine if boys will be boys“
“Epigenetic Regulation of Mouse Sex Determination by the Histone Demethylase Jmjd1a“; AAAS Science
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