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2E - Genomics, Proteonomics, Metabolomics (TUP/113) Sex reversal by endocrine disrupting chemicals - analysing sex-specifically expressed genes in juvenile fish. Scholz, Stefan1, Rösler, Sabine2, Hamann, Juliane2, Gutzeit, Herwig O.2, 1 UFZ Centre for Environmental Research, Junior Research Group of Molecular Animal Cell Toxicology, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany2 TU Dresden, Institute of Zoology, Dresden, Sachsen, Germany ABSTRACT- A wide range of chemicals has been shown to interact with the sexual differentiation of vertebrates. These interactions have been observed particularly in fish, which show a high sensitivity to hormonal compounds if compared to other vertebrates. Various compounds, such as ethynylestradiol and the non-steroidogenic pesticide derivatives o,p-DDT and beta-HCH, have been shown to induce a complete sex reversal. In order to design an efficient test system for the early detection of sex reversal in the model teleost medaka (Oryzias latipes), we have analysed expression patterns of the potentially sex-specific genes vasa, PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen), NIF3L (Ngg1-ineracting factor 3), sox9 (SRY related HMG box), gcl (germ cell less), DMY (DM-related Y-specific), VTG (vitellogenin) and Fig alpha (factor in the germ line). The genes DMY, VTG and Fig alpha showed a clear sex specific expression. The master regulator gene DMY was insensitive to hormonal treatment but serves as genotype (XY-) marker. VTG and Fig alpha reflect the functional sex. In contrast to DMY their expression is induced by estrogens and repressed by androgens. DMY, VTG and Fig alpha can be used to identify genotypic and functional sex in juvenile fish (23d post hatching) thus enabling the detection of sex reversal at very early time points. Key words: endocrine disrupters, gene expression, medaka, sex reversal |
