The Region on 9p Associated with 46,XY Sex Reversal Contains Several Transcripts Expressed in the Urogenital System and a Novel Doublesex-Related Domain

Abstract

Deletions of 9p have been associated with 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis, and the smallest region of overlap has been mapped to the tip of chromosome 9. Two candidate genes (DMRT1 and 2) have been found in the region. Despite intensive mutation searches, no mutations have been detected in these genes. To gain insights into the genomics of the region and to isolate other candidate genes for the phenotype, we have constructed a P1 artificial chromosome (PAC)/bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) contig spanning over 500 kb and covering the consensus critical region. We have analyzed the expression pattern of several ESTs mapped or sublocalized within the framework of the contig. In addition, a sample shotgun sequencing of a PAC containing the mentioned DM genes led to the detection of novel transcripts displaying an expression pattern specific to testis and kidney, consistent with a role in the development of the urogenital system. One of them, expressed in adult testis and human embryos aged 4–5 weeks, encodes a potential polypeptide and is located immediately downstream of a sequence capable of encoding a novel DM domain. The region was partially screened for mutations in sex-reversed patients by Southern blot, sequencing, and FISH. No mutations were found. Our results suggest that the critical region on 9p involved in male-to-female sex reversal displays greater gene density and genomic complexity than previously anticipated. Future investigations will include functional and mutational studies of the novel transcripts mapped or sublocalized within the critical region by this study as well as cloning efforts to isolate additional candidate genes.