RNA binding protein RBM20 regulates turtle temperature-dependent sex determination by repressing the splicing of <i>Wt1</i> KTS.

ABSTRACT: Accumulating correlative studies suggest a potential role of alternative splicing in vertebrate sex determination; however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Herein, we show that RNA binding motif protein 20 (RBM20) exhibits temperature-dependent sexually dimorphic expression in early embryonic gonads of the red-eared slider turtle Trachemys scripta, preceding the onset of gonadal differentiation. Knockdown of Rbm20 at male-producing temperature induces male-to-female sex reversal, whereas Rbm20 overexpression at female-producing temperature triggers male development. RBM20 represses the splicing of Wilms tumor suppressor WT1 at KTS sites, thereby governing the balance of +KTS and -KTS isoforms between different temperatures. In addition, functional analysis re

SUBMITTER: Sun W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12617523 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature