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Temporal sex specific brain gene expression pattern during early rat embryonic development
Berkay Paylar1, Subrata Pramanik1, Yared H Bezabhe1
1Biology, The Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|July 4, 2024
Summary
Genetic factors, not just hormones, influence brain development. This study found sex-specific gene expression in early rat brains, identifying key genes like Sry2 and Eif2s3y involved in male brain development before gonadal influence.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Classical theories posit gonadal steroid hormones as primary drivers of brain sex differentiation.
- Emerging evidence suggests genetic factors also play a crucial role in sexually dimorphic brain development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify sex-specific gene expression patterns in early developing rat brains.
- To investigate the genetic underpinnings of brain sex differentiation independent of gonadal hormones.
Main Methods:
- RNA sequencing was performed on rat brains at embryonic days 12, 13, and 14.
- Differential gene expression analysis was conducted to compare male and female brains.
Main Results:
- The gene Xist showed high and increasing expression in female (XX) brains.
- Three key genes, Sry2, Eif2s3y, and Ddx3y, exhibited high expression in male brains during early development.
Conclusions:
- Sex-specific gene expression occurs in the rat brain prior to gonadal hormone influence, indicating early sexual dimorphism.
- Sry2 and Eif2s3y are identified as significant early genes contributing to male brain development.
