ZFY Genes Research Articles

Chromosomal localization of ZFX—A human gene that escapes X inactivation—and its murine homologs

The ZFY gene, found in the sex-determining region of the human Y chromosome, encodes a zinc-finger protein that may be the pivotal sex-determining signal. A closely related gene, ZFX, is found on the human X chromosome, and it may also function in sex determination. ZFX is one of a few genes on the human X chromosome that are known to escape X inactivation. We report the localization of ZFX, by meiotic linkage analysis and physical mapping, distal to POLA but proximal to DXS41 (p99-6), near the boundary of bands Xp21.3 and Xp22.1. (Our results suggest the following order of loci in Xp21–p22: cen- DMD-[GK, AHC]-DXS67 (pB24)- POLA-ZFX-[DXS41 (p99-6), DXS274 (CRI-L1391)]- DXS43 (pD2)-pter.) These findings contradict the model that escape from X inactivation is limited to genes near the short-arm telomere (i.e., in Xp22.3). Instead, escape from X inactivation is likely a property of several noncontiguous segments of the X chromosome. Curiously, in mouse, the homologous Zfx gene maps to X chromosome band D, near the center from which an X-inactivating signal is thought to spread. As judged by comparative mapping, it appears that an X-chromosomal segment that spans the ZFX and DMD genes has remained grossly intact during the divergence of mouse and human from a common ancestor. Conservation of this chromosomal segment may extend to marsupials, where homologs of the ZFX and DMD genes have been observed in proximity, but on an autosome. While autosomal homologs of ZFX have not been observed in other placental mammals, a locus derived from a processed Zfx transcript is found on mouse chromosome 10 band B3 or B4.

Mouse Zfx protein is similar to Zfy-2: each contains an acidic activating domain and 13 zinc fingers.

The Zfy gene is located on the Y chromosome of placental mammals and encodes a zinc finger protein which may serve as the primary sex-determining signal. A related gene, Zfx, is similarly conserved on the X chromosome. Unlike that in most mammals, the mouse genome contains four homologous zinc finger loci: Zfy-1, Zfy-2, Zfx, and Zfa (on an autosome). We report that, in contrast to the mouse Zfy genes, Zfx is widely transcribed in embryos, newborns, and adults, both male and female. Moreover, Zfx transcripts contain long 3' untranslated sequences which are phylogenetically conserved. Zfa is a processed gene derived from Zfx. An analysis of cDNA clones demonstrated that Zfx encodes a 799-amino-acid protein that is 70% identical to the mouse Zfy-1 and Zfy-2 proteins. Zfx, Zfy-1, and Zfy-2 contain highly acidic amino-terminal domains and carboxy-terminal regions containing 13 zinc fingers. When fused to the DNA-binding domain of GAL4, the acidic domains of Zfx and Zfy-2 activated transcription in yeast cells.

Mouse Zfx Protein Is Similar to Zfy-2: Each Contains an Acidic Activating Domain and 13 Zinc Fingers

The Zfy gene is located on the Y chromosome of placental mammals and encodes a zinc finger protein which may serve as the primary sex-determining signal. A related gene, Zfx, is similarly conserved on the X chromosome. Unlike that in most mammals, the mouse genome contains four homologous zinc finger loci: Zfy-1, Zfy-2, Zfx, and Zfa (on an autosome). We report that, in contrast to the mouse Zfy genes, Zfx is widely transcribed in embryos, newborns, and adults, both male and female. Moreover, Zfx transcripts contain long 3' untranslated sequences which are phylogenetically conserved. Zfa is a processed gene derived from Zfx. An analysis of cDNA clones demonstrated that Zfx encodes a 799-amino-acid protein that is 70% identical to the mouse Zfy-1 and Zfy-2 proteins. Zfx, Zfy-1, and Zfy-2 contain highly acidic amino-terminal domains and carboxy-terminal regions containing 13 zinc fingers. When fused to the DNA-binding domain of GAL4, the acidic domains of Zfx and Zfy-2 activated transcription in yeast cells.

Regional assignments of the zinc finger Y-linked gene (ZFY) and related sequences on human and mouse chromosomes

Recent chromosome walking experiments have identified a candidate gene (ZFY) for the testis-determining factor on the human Y chromosome (Page et al., 1987). We report here the regional assignments of the ZFY gene and related sequences in the human and the mouse. By in situ hybridization, we assigned ZFX and ZFY to human chromosome bands Xp21 and Yp11.3, respectively. Although the mouse harbors two Zfy genes, only one site at band A1 of its Y chromosome was significantly labeled. The mouse Zfx gene and the Zfa gene on chromosome 10 were assigned to bands XD and 10B5, respectively. These assignments of the ZFX gene in human and mouse add another marker to the conserved syntenic group for evaluating the evolutionary relationship of the human and mouse X chromosomes.

The two candidate testis-determining Y genes (Zfy-1 and Zfy-2) are differentially expressed in fetal and adult mouse tissues.

The candidate testis-determining Y genes of the mouse Zfy-1 and Zfy-2, encode proteins containing an acidic amino terminus and a carboxyl terminus composed of 13 zinc fingers. The zinc finger domain is conserved among human and mouse zinc finger X and Y genes. We report a 6-amino-acid deletion in the Zfy-2 zinc finger domain of laboratory mice possessing musculus Y chromosomes. The effect of this deletion on the function of Zfy-2 is not known. The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Northern blot techniques were used to study expression of Zfy in adults and fetuses. In adults, the data suggest that Zfy-1 and Zfy-2 transcription is linked to spermatogenesis, that transcription increases with the initiation of meiosis, and that high levels of these mRNAs are found in postmeiotic round spermatid cells. The data also suggest that differential expression of these two genes is present with expression of Zfy-2 being slightly greater than Zfy-1. In fetuses, Zfy transcripts were detected in several tissues, including the testes. In contrast to the situation in adults, the data suggest that expression of Zfy-1 is greater than that of Zfy-2. The data suggesting that Zfy-1 expression is present in fetal testes support the hypothesis that this gene plays a role in testis differentiation. However, because the Zfy genes are apparently also expressed during spermatogenesis and in fetal organs other than testes, they may serve additional functions besides their postulated role in testis determination.

Measurement by quantitative PCR of changes in HPRT, PGK-1, PGK-2, APRT, MTase, and Zfy gene transcripts during mouse spermatogenesis

A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay (RT-PCR) was used quantitatively to measure accumulated levels of RNA transcripts in total mouse RNAs derived from male germ cells at various spermatogenic stages. RNA levels for two X-linked enzymes, phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK-1) and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT), both decrease during spermatogenesis, although the transcript levels decrease much more rapidly for PGK-1. RNA for the Y-linked ZFY (zinc finger protein) is elevated in all spermatogenic cell fractions tested, being particularly high in leptotene/zygotene spermatocytes and round spermatids. RNA for adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) increases 5-fold to a peak during late pachynema. RNA for PGK-2, undetectable in spermatogonial cells, increases at least 50-fold by the round spermatid stage. DNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase (MTase) transcript levels are over an order of magnitude higher throughout spermatogenesis than in non-dividing liver cells.

Putative transcription activator with alternative isoforms encoded by human ZFX gene

The ZFY gene in the sex-determining region of the human Y chromosome encodes a protein with 13 zinc fingers, and may determine whether an embryo develops as a male or female. ZFX, a related gene on the human X chromosome, may also function in sex determination; it encodes a protein with a very similar zinc-finger domain and escapes X inactivation. ZFY and ZFX diverged from a common ancestral gene before the radiation of placental mammals, and retain a similar genomic organization. Analysis of complementary DNAs from the mouse Y-chromosomal homologues of ZFY indicates that these genes encode probable transcription activators. Here, we report that ZFX encodes a protein composed of a highly acidic amino-terminal domain, a basic putative nuclear-localization signal, and a carboxy-terminal zinc-finger domain. This combination of features, also found in the ZFY gene product, is typical of transcription activators. Alternative splicing generates ZFX transcripts encoding isoforms of 575 and 804 amino acids. These ZFX protein isoforms differ in the length of their acidic domains and may be functionally distinct.

Zfy gene expression patterns are not compatible with a primary role in mouse sex determination

The Y chromosome determines maleness in mammals. A Y chromosome-linked gene diverts the indifferent embryonic gonad from the default ovarian pathway in favour of testis differentiation, initiating male development. Study of this basic developmental switch requires the isolation of the testis-determining gene, termed TDF in humans and Tdy in mice. ZFY, a candidate gene for TDF, potentially encodes a zinc-finger protein, and has two Y-linked homologues, Zfy-1 and Zfy-2, in mice. Although ZFY, Zfy-1 and Zfy-2 seem to map to the sex-determining regions of the human and mouse Y chromosomes, there is no direct evidence that these genes are involved in testis determination. We report here that Zfy-1 but not Zfy-2 is expressed in differentiating embryonic mouse testes. Neither gene, however, is expressed in We/We mutant embryonic testes which lack germ cells. These observations exclude both Zfy-1 and Zfy-2 as candidates for the mouse testis-determining gene.

Genome analysis of rainbow trout and sturgeon with restriction enzymes and hybridization with a ZFY gene derived probe to identify sex

An initial evaluation of molecular screening methods to separate male and female rainbow trout and sturgeon was performed. High molecular weight genomic DNA was obtained from red blood cells and cut with various restriction enzymes. Digests were examined for unique repetitive DNA sequences associated with the heterogametic chromosome. For all the enzymes tested, no characteristic banding patterns were observed for either of the two sexes. As in other eukaryotes, significant numbers of repetitive nucleotide regions were detected in the organization of the trout and sturgeon genome. A specific DNA probe from humans (pDP1007) that detects a single copy sequence on the mammalian Y-chromosome was evaluated for its specificity in discriminating male from female individuals. The DNA segment of probe pDP1007 had homology with genomic DNA of trout and sturgeon, but no differences were observed between the male and female pattern of hybridization. The experimental approach applied in the study is discussed in relation to sex determining mechanisms in fish.

Specific amplification of the ZFY gene to screen sex in man

Using the polymerase chain reaction, a sequence comprising 400bp of the human ZFY gene was amplified specifically in the male. The method allows detection of the presence of the ZFY gene in the order of 1:10(4) cells.

ZFX has a gene structure similar to ZFY, the putative human sex determinant, and escapes X inactivation

The ZFX gene on the human X chromosome is structurally similar to the ZFY gene, which may constitute the sex-determining signal on the human Y chromosome. ZFY and ZFX diverged from a common ancestral gene, as evidenced by similarities in their intron/exon organization and exon DNA sequences. The carboxy-terminal exons of ZFY and ZFX both encode 13 zinc fingers; 383 of 393 amino acid residues are identical, and there are no insertions or deletions. Thus, the ZFY and ZFX proteins may bind to the same nucleic acid sequences. ZFY and ZFX are transcribed in a wide variety of XY and (in the case of ZFX) XX cell lines. Transcription analysis of human-rodent hybrid cell lines containing “inactive” human X chromosomes suggests that ZFX escapes X inactivation. This result contradicts the “dosage/X-inactivation” model, which postulated that sex is determined by the total amount of functionally interchangeable ZFY and ZFX proteins.

Mapping the human ZFX locus to Xp21.3 by in situ hybridization

In situ hybridization using a probe specific for the human ZFX and ZFY loci assigns the ZFX gene to Xp21.3 and the ZFY gene to Yp11.32.

The sex-determining region of the mouse Y chromosome encodes a protein with a highly acidic domain and 13 zinc fingers

The ZFY gene, located in the sex-determining region of the human Y chromosome, appears to encode a zinc-finger protein. Two homologous genes, Zfy-1 and Zfy-2, are found in the sex-determining region of the mouse Y chromosome. One or both genes may serve as the primary sex-determining signal in mice. Both Zfy-1 and Zfy-2 are transcribed in the adult testis. Nucleotide sequence analysis of a Zfy-2 cDNA suggests that it encodes a 783 amino acid protein with two domains: the amino-terminal portion is highly acidic, with 25% of its residues being glutamic or aspartic acid, while the carboxy-terminal domain contains 13 zinc fingers. The presence in Zfy-2 of an acidic domain in combination with a putative nucleic acid binding domain suggests that Zfy-2 activates transcription in a sequence-specific fashion.

Duplication, Deletion, and Polymorphism in the Sex-Determining Region of the Mouse Y Chromosome

The ZFY gene in the sex-determining region of the human Y chromosome encodes a "zinc-finger" protein that may be the testis-determining factor, TDF. Although the Y chromosomes of most placental mammals carry a single homolog of ZFY, the mouse Y chromosome has two homologs, both in the sex-determining (Sxr) region. Zfy-1 alone may suffice to determine maleness; Zfy-2 is dispensable, as it was deleted in an Sxr variant that retains sex-determining function but has lost other genes. Both loci mapped near the centromere of the mouse Y chromosome. The Y chromosomes of the subspecies Mus musculus musculus and M. m. domesticus were distinguishable by a Zfy-1 restriction fragment polymorphism, which can be used to study their differing interactions with autosomal sex-determining genes.

Evidence for distinguishable transcripts of the putative testis determining gene (ZFY) and mapping of homologous cDNA sequences to chromosomes X,Y and 9

Oligonucleotide sequences based on the amino acid sequence of the putative testis determining gene ZFY have been used to isolate a 1.3 Kb Hind III Y genomic DNA fragment CMPXY1 and three human testis cDNA sequences (CMPXY2, CMPXY3 and CMPXY4). These sequences detect at least four potential exons on the Y (Y1, Y3, Y4 and Y5), three on the X (X1, X2 and X3) and three of autosomal origin (A1, A2 and A3) as determined by comparing the fragments detected by different clones. Analysis with subfragments of CMPXY4 shows that Y3 is unique to the Y and that Y4 and X1 are homologous. Y5 and X3 are detected by the same subfragment of CMPXY4. This is also the case for Y1, X2, A1, A2 and A3. Thus these exons may contain further regions of homology between the X, Y and an autosomal locus. The X-linked sequences all lie in Xp21.2-Xp22.1 and studies with XX males have placed the Y-linked sequences in distal Yp adjacent to the Y-autosomal homologous sequence GMGY3. We have confirmed these localizations by in situ hybridization with CMPXY4 and have shown additionally that the autosomal sequences of both the CMPXY4 sequence and GMGY3 map to 9p22-9pter. Restriction analysis demonstrates that CMPXY1/XY2/XY3 differ in sequence from CMPXY4 at three restriction enzyme sites, thus suggesting that they are transcribed from different but closely related genes and that CMPXY4 must be either X-linked or autosomal in origin. This indicates that more than one of the loci containing ZFY-related sequences are transcribed and potentially fulfil functionally distinct roles in the human sex determining pathway. Northern blot analysis of human foetal testis RNA has shown that three low abundance transcripts of 5, 6 and 8 Kb can be detected by ZFY-related DNA sequences.

Deep-freezing of cow ‘half’ and ‘quarter’ embryos

This paper describes a simplified method for biopsying goat embryos for sex determination, followed by the transfer of these embryos to recipient does. A 90° angle holding pipet is described, which permits holding the embryo in position and, with minimal effort, open the zona pellucida and excise 5–10 trophoblast cells with the aid of a microsurgical blade. Twenty-four embryos were biopsied, 12 of which were freshly collected (day 7) and 12 of which were cultured in vitro from collected morulae (day 6). In the course of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) a 447 (male) and 445 bp (female) fragment of the DNA, derived from the trophoblast cells, was amplified. The primers used were specific for the highly conserved mammalian sequences of the ZFX and ZFY genes. Individual biopsied embryos were transferred to 24 synchronized recipient does. The pregnancy rate following transfer was 67% (8/12) in recipients receiving freshly collected blastocysts while only 8% (1/12) in the recipients receiving blastocysts cultured in vitro from morulae (P < 0.01). Four of the kids born were males and four females. The sex assigned to the embryos was correct in 83% of the cases.