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Related Experiment Videos

Temperature-dependent aromatase expression in developing diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) embryos

P Jeyasuria1, A R Place

  • 1University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Center of Marine Biotechnology, Baltimore 21202, U.S.A.

The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
|April 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary

Temperature-dependent sex determination in diamondback terrapins involves the aromatase gene. This gene, crucial for estrogen synthesis, shows differential expression in brains and gonads, influencing sex determination in these reptiles.

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Molecular Endocrinology
  • Herpetology

Background:

  • Diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD).
  • Males develop below 28°C, females above 30°C.
  • Estrogen application at male temperatures can produce females, implicating estrogen synthesis in sex determination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role and regulation of the aromatase gene in diamondback terrapin sex determination.
  • To characterize aromatase gene expression patterns during development.

Main Methods:

  • Obtained full-length cDNAs for terrapin ovarian aromatase.
  • Utilized reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect aromatase expression in various tissues.

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  • Developed a competitive RT-PCR assay for quantifying aromatase transcript levels.

    • Main Results:

    • Aromatase is expressed in female brains and ovaries, and male brains, but not male testes.
    • Brain expression precedes the temperature-dependent sex determination period.
    • Female hatchling brains and ovaries show significantly higher aromatase mRNA levels compared to males.

    Conclusions:

    • The aromatase gene plays a critical role in diamondback terrapin sex determination.
    • Differential expression of aromatase in the brain and gonads correlates with temperature-dependent sex determination.
    • Aromatase transcript levels are a key factor in regulating sex in this species.