Close X
Saturday, May 10, 2025
ADVT 
Tech

New genetic basis for sex determination discovered

Darpan News Desk IANS, 19 Aug, 2014 08:08 AM
    Not just the X and Y chromosome but a subset of very small genes also play a key role in differentiating male and female tissues in the fruit fly, researchers reported.
     
    Called microRNAs (miRNAs), these are a short segment of RNA that fine-tunes the activation of one or several protein-coding genes.
     
    miRNAs are able to silence the genes they target and, in doing so, orchestrate complex genetic programmes that are the basis of development.
     
    "We found that the differences in miRNAs are important in shaping the structures that distinguish the two sexes. In fact, miRNAs regulate the very proteins that act as sex determinants during development," said Delphine Fagegaltier from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) here.
     
    The team found that miRNAs are essential for sex determination even after an animal has grown to adulthood.
     
    They send signals that allow germ cells (eggs and sperm) to develop ensuring fertility
     
    "Removing one miRNA from mature adult flies causes infertility," Fagegaltier noted.
     
    More than that, these flies begin to produce both male and female sex-determinants.
     
    "In a sense, once they have lost this miRNA, the flies become male and female at the same time. It is amazing that the very smallest genes can have such a big effect on sexual identity," Fagegaltier added.
     
    The study appeared in the journal Genetics.

    MORE Tech ARTICLES

    New tech could provide health care to astronauts on deep-space missions

    New tech could provide health care to astronauts on deep-space missions
    A new Canadian technology could be the key to ensuring an astronaut's health and well-being as they embark on deep space missions.

    New tech could provide health care to astronauts on deep-space missions

    Snapchat third most popular social app among millennials

    Snapchat third most popular social app among millennials
    The messaging app Snapchat has left Twitter behind to become the third most used social media app among the millennial group - 18 to 34 year olds.

    Snapchat third most popular social app among millennials

    Web browsing improves memory

    Web browsing improves memory
    Before you cite age as an excuse not to learn how to send an e-mail or search a recipe, take note that learning to browse the web may help you arrest memory decline.

    Web browsing improves memory

    Sweat to power small electronic devices soon

    Sweat to power small electronic devices soon
    Sweat can not only help you burn calories while exercising but also power small electronic devices in near future.

    Sweat to power small electronic devices soon

    Microsoft unveils 'most affordable' Lumia in India

    Microsoft unveils 'most affordable' Lumia in India
    Microsoft Devices Wednesday launched the Lumia 530 Dual SIM - the “most affordable” Lumia to date - in India priced at Rs.7,349, a company statement said here.

    Microsoft unveils 'most affordable' Lumia in India

    Chilean students invent theft-proof bicycle

    Chilean students invent theft-proof bicycle
    More than 100,000 bicycles are stolen annually in Chile's capital Santiago, a problem that prompted three university students here to come up with an innovative, theft-proof model.

    Chilean students invent theft-proof bicycle