SGER: A Functional Assay to Test Conserved Mechanisms of Sex Determination in the Turtle, T. scripta

SGER：测试海龟性别决定保守机制的功能测定，T. scripta

• 批准号: 0849646
• 负责人: Blanche Capel
• 金额: $ 23.4万
• 依托单位: Duke University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-05-01 至 2011-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0849646&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SGER; Functional; Assay; Test; Conserved

Sex determination occurs during embryonic life and is the process by which the gonad initiates testis or ovary development. In mammals, the sex determination cascade is governed by a genetic switch. However, in most reptiles, this critical process is controlled by the incubation temperature of the egg and may be vulnerable to climate change. The link between temperature and testis or ovary developmental pathways has not yet been elucidated. To investigate the hypothesis that the cascade of signals downstream of genetic and environmental switches is the same across vertebrates, this lab will develop the methodology to culture and manipulate turtle gonads in vitro. These assays will advance our understanding of how temperature influences testis or ovary development in reptiles, which will be important for conservation of these species. An optimized protocol for gonad culture will be made freely available to other labs in the field. This project also affords outstanding teaching and outreach opportunities as undergraduate and high school students are commonly recruited to participate. The lab will continue to work with Durham's Project SEED program to give underprivileged and minority high school students a chance to be involved in this fascinating line of research.

性别决定发生在胚胎期，是性腺启动睾丸或卵巢发育的过程。在哺乳动物中，性别决定级联是由基因开关控制的。然而，在大多数爬行动物中，这一关键过程由卵的孵化温度控制，可能容易受到气候变化的影响。温度与睾丸或卵巢发育途径之间的联系尚未阐明。为了研究遗传和环境开关下游信号级联在脊椎动物中是相同的这一假设，本实验室将开发体外培养和操纵海龟性腺的方法。这些试验将促进我们了解温度如何影响睾丸或卵巢发育的爬行动物，这将是重要的，这些物种的保护。性腺培养的优化方案将免费提供给该领域的其他实验室。该项目还提供了优秀的教学和推广机会，因为本科生和高中生通常被招募参加。该实验室将继续与达勒姆的项目种子计划，让贫困和少数民族高中学生有机会参与这一迷人的研究线。