A molecular mechanism for environmental sex determination

Trends Genet. 2024 Oct;40(10):817-818. doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2024.07.005. Epub 2024 Jul 29.

Abstract

Daphnia produce genetically identical males and females; their sex is determined by environmental conditions. Recently, Kato et al. identified isoform switching events in Daphnia as a gene regulatory mechanism for sex-specific development. This finding uncovers the impact of alternative usage of gene isoforms on this extreme phenotypic plasticity trait.

Keywords: Daphnia; differentially expressed isoforms; environmental sex determination; gene regulation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing / genetics
  • Animals
  • Daphnia* / genetics
  • Environment
  • Female
  • Male
  • Sex Determination Processes* / genetics