Biomaterial Database

Human Y chromosome, sex determination, and spermatogenesis- a feminist view. 2000

J A Marshall Graves

Department of Genetics, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3083, Australia. j.graves@gen.latrobe.edu.au

In this review I want to argue that, far from being a macho entity with an all-powerful role in male development, the human Y chromosome is a "wimp." It is merely a relic of the X chromosome, and most or all of the genes it bears-including the genes that determine sex and control spermatogenesis-are relics of genes on the X chromosome that have other functions altogether.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D004268	DNA-Binding Proteins	Proteins which bind to DNA. The family includes proteins which bind to both double- and single-stranded DNA and also includes specific DNA binding proteins in serum which can be used as markers for malignant diseases.	DNA Helix Destabilizing Proteins,DNA-Binding Protein,Single-Stranded DNA Binding Proteins,DNA Binding Protein,DNA Single-Stranded Binding Protein,SS DNA BP,Single-Stranded DNA-Binding Protein,Binding Protein, DNA,DNA Binding Proteins,DNA Single Stranded Binding Protein,DNA-Binding Protein, Single-Stranded,Protein, DNA-Binding,Single Stranded DNA Binding Protein,Single Stranded DNA Binding Proteins
D005075	Biological Evolution	The process of cumulative change over successive generations through which organisms acquire their distinguishing morphological and physiological characteristics.	Evolution, Biological
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012733	Sex Differentiation	The process in developing sex- or gender-specific tissue, organ, or function after SEX DETERMINATION PROCESSES have set the sex of the GONADS. Major areas of sex differentiation occur in the reproductive tract (GENITALIA) and the brain.	Differentiation, Sex,Sexual Differentiation,Differentiation, Sexual
D013091	Spermatogenesis	The process of germ cell development in the male from the primordial germ cells, through SPERMATOGONIA; SPERMATOCYTES; SPERMATIDS; to the mature haploid SPERMATOZOA.	Spermatocytogenesis,Spermiogenesis
D014157	Transcription Factors	Endogenous substances, usually proteins, which are effective in the initiation, stimulation, or termination of the genetic transcription process.	Transcription Factor,Factor, Transcription,Factors, Transcription
D014960	X Chromosome	The female sex chromosome, being the differential sex chromosome carried by half the male gametes and all female gametes in human and other male-heterogametic species.	Chromosome, X,Chromosomes, X,X Chromosomes
D014998	Y Chromosome	The male sex chromosome, being the differential sex chromosome carried by half the male gametes and none of the female gametes in humans and in some other male-heterogametic species in which the homologue of the X chromosome has been retained.	Chromosome, Y,Chromosomes, Y,Y Chromosomes