A Y-chromosome-encoded small RNA acts as sex determinant in persimmons

ABSTRACT: In plants, multiple lineages have evolved sex chromosomes independently, providing a powerful comparative framework, but few specific determinants controlling the expression of a specific sex have been identified. We investigated sex-determinants in Caucasian persimmon, Diospyros lotus, a dioecious plant with heterogametic males (XY). Male-specific short nucleotide sequences were used to define a male determining region. A combination of transcriptomics and evolutionary approaches detected a Y-specific sex-determinant candidate, OGI, that displays male-specific conservation among Diospyros species. OGI encodes a small RNA targeting the autosomal MeGI gene, a homeodomain transcription factor regulating anther fertility in dosage-dependent fashion. This identification of a feminizing gene su

ORGANISM(S): Diospyros lotus

SUBMITTER: Luca Comai 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-61386 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress