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US 2003/0191297 A1Published application
Avian ghd genes and their use in methods for sex identification in birds
AssigneeNone recorded
InventorsRICHARD GRIFFITHS, BELA TIWARI
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AssigneeNone recorded
InventorsRICHARD GRIFFITHS, BELA TIWARI
Estimating the term…
The invention provides for DNA sequences (introns and exons) encoding two genes located on the Z and W chromosomes of birds. These genes can be used to identify the sex of most birds (Class Aves). In addition, the genes control the sex of the birds, a genetic process which is initiated as an embryo. Nucleic acid fragments, proteins, polypeptides, antibodies and related products and their use in medicine and agriculture are provided. The invention may be used in sex identification or for controlling the sex of adults or the progeny of commercially important animals.
The nucleotide sequences of CHD-1A and CHD-W as shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.
A clone or subclones of CHD-1A and CHD-W as defined in 1.
A fragment of CHD-1A and CHD-W, as shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, capable of giving W specific signal on hybridization to genomic DNA of a non-ratite bird.
A fragment of CHD-1A and CHD-W, as shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, obtainable by restriction endonuclease digestion thereof and being capable of giving a W specific signal on hybridization to genomic DNA of a non-ratite bird.
A nucleic acid or fragment or oligonucleotide having substantially the sequence of CHD-1A and CHD-W as set out in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.
A nucleic acid or fragment or oligonucleotide having substantially the same sequence of the chicken or great tit CHD-gene as set out in FIG. 1, 3, 5, 7 or 8.
A nucleic acid or fragment or oligonucleotide containing substantially the nucleotide sequence set out in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, being capable of giving a W chromosome specific signal on hybridization to the genomic DNA of a non-ratite bird.
A nucleic acid or fragment or oligonucleotide, containing substantially the nucleotide sequence shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, encoding a CHD-protein, fragment thereof or polypeptide containing a CHD-gene or part thereof or encoding a CHD-mimetope protein or fragment thereof or CHD-mimetope polypeptide.
An avian CHD-protein, fragment thereof or polypeptide containing a CHD-gene of part thereof or a CHD-mimetope protein, fragment thereof or a CHD-mimetope polypeptide derived or derivable from an avian CHD gene.
A protein or fragment thereof or polypeptide containing a CHD-chromobox which is derived or derivable from the nucleic acid sequence shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, including at least one of the characteristic amino acid residues at position 11, 12, 20, 27 or 31 inside the chromobox or 3, 6, 8, 12-15 or 16 directly downstream of the chromobox when aligned to best effect and as set out in FIG. 11.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Nucleic acid products used in the analysis of nucleic acids, e.g. primers or probes: for sex determination
From vertebrates: from birds
Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms
Peptides
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The present invention relates to proteins, polypeptides, nucleic acid fragments, antibodies and related products and to their use in medicine and agriculture, for instance in diagnosis and therapy. More particularly the invention relates to a gene or genes which can be used to ascertain the sex of avian adults, embryos, cells, and tissues. These genes also control the sex of birds starting with action in the embryos and so control the sex of the progeny of birds
Much of our understanding of sex determination comes from three, extensively studied, model systems. In two of these, the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster and the nematode Caenorhabitis elegans, it is the ratio of X chromosomes to autosomes that initiates sexual differentiation (Hodgkin 1992). In the mouse a single gene, SRY, located on the Y chromosome provides the impetus for male development; a pattern that is thought to be conserved throughout the mammals (Koopman et al. 1991 Foster, et al. 1992).
At the genetical level these three species employ very different molecular mechanisms, not only to control sex determination itself but to accommodate the differing dosages of genes that result from the males possessing a single X and the female two X chromosomes. These basic differences are largely due to the independent evolution of the three mechanisms and strongly suggests that other means of sex determination will have evolved elsewhere in the animal kingdom.
FIG. 1. The DNA sequence of the pGT-W insert.
FIG. 2. A map of the 9.6 kb insert of the IFixII clone isolated from the great tit using pGT-W. pGT1.7 and pGT8 are the two EcoRI subclones into which the fragment was divided. The broken line corresponds to the region with absolute sequence identity to the pGT-W insert. The position of the region with identity to the mouse CHD-1 gene is indicated.
FIG. 3. An alignment of 123 bp fragment of the great tit (GT) CHD-W gene in pGT8 with the autosomal/Z located chicken (C) CHD-1A the chicken CHD-W gene and bases 3855-3977 of the mouse (M) CHD-1 gene. An alignment of the deduced amino acid sequence is also given.
Abrams, E., Neigeborn, L. & Carlson, M. 1986. Molecular analysis of SNF2 and SNF5, genes required for expression of glucose-repressible genes in Saccharomyces cerivisiae. Mol. Cell. Biol. 6: 3643-3651.
Baverstock, P. R., Adams, M., Polkinghorne, R. W. & Gelder, M. 1982. A sex-linked enzyme in birds—Z-chromosome conservation but no dosage compensation. Nature 296: 763-766.
Bianchi, N. O., Bianchi, M. S., Bailliet, G. & de la Chapelle, A. 1993. Characterization and sequencing of the sex determining region Y gene (SRY) in Akodon (Cricetiae) species with sex reversed females. Chromosoma 102: 389-395.