57 -Biological and Life Sciences - Katie Cowart, Samantha Jerry, and Karim Mikhail
Faculty Mentor: Mark Bevensee and Joe March
Presentation Title: Nuclear AR Mutation Induces Sex Determination Changes in Zebrafish
Abstract:
Androgen receptors (AR) are important components of sexual development in organisms. While the basic functions of AR are understood, AR mutations and their effects are far less known. In order to further understand the role of AR in sex differentiation and development, researchers manipulated the AR gene and studied the effects on zebrafish development. The mutation of the gene caused a change in the structure of the receptor that altered its function, thus impacting the sex differentiation and development of the zebrafish. The authors found that homozygous mutant populations exhibited a significant female sex bias. Of the 46 homozygous mutant fish in Population 1, 38 were female while only 8 were male. This female bias was conserved in the homozygous mutant fish of Population 2; 16 of the 21 fish were female, and 5 were male. Conversely, wild-type and heterozygous mutant fish populations displayed a male sex bias. These data suggest a role for the androgen receptor in male sex differentiation, conferring a deepened understanding of the molecular basis for sex determination in zebrafish. The findings obtained from this study may be translated to studies in humans.
This poster is an educational activity in partial fulfillment of the course STH 199 requirements. This poster is a student team presentation interpreting part of the following publication, and shows and/or recreates at least one figure, data, and/or other information previously published by: Camerron M. Crowder, Christopher S. Lassiter, and Daniel A. Gorelick.