Dmrt1 Undergoes Sex-Specific Functional Evolution in Xenopus
Kukoly et al. (PLOS Genetics, Jan. 2, 2026) generated knockout lines of dmrt1 homeologs in allotetraploid Xenopus laevis and diploid X. tropicalis and profiled mesonephros/gonad transcriptomes during sexual differentiation. They show loss of female-essential function in dmrt1.S and gain of male-essential function in dmrt1.L following allotetraploidization. The results indicate developmental tipping points where gene duplication drives subfunctionalization and neofunctionalization of sex-determination.
Key Points
- 1Demonstrate that dmrt1 homeolog knockouts in X. laevis and X. tropicalis reveal sex-specific functional changes
- 2Reveal loss of female-essential function in dmrt1.S and gain of male-essential function in dmrt1.L
- 3Imply developmental tipping points and duplicate gene sub/neofunctionalization affecting sex-determination research and experiments
Scoring Rationale
High novelty and strong peer-reviewed evidence, but results are taxon-specific and may not generalize across vertebrates.
Sources
Public references used for this report.
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