A unique Y gene in the Asian malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi encodes a small lysine‐rich protein and is transcribed at the onset of embryonic development. Issue 4 (20th May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Criscione, F.; Qi, Y.; Saunders, R.; Hall, B.; Tu, Z.
• Is Part Of: Insect molecular biology. Volume 22:Issue 4(2013:Aug.)
• Page Start: 433
• Page End: 441
• Publication Date: 2013-05-20
• Subjects: Insects -- Molecular aspects -- Periodicals; 595.7
• DOI: 10.1111/imb.12034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0962-1075

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>In many organisms the Y chromosome initiates sex determination and regulates male fertility and mating behaviour. However, molecular characterization of Y genes is rare outside of a few model species because it is difficult to clone and analyse repeat‐rich heterochromatic Y sequences. In insects, Y genes are only well characterized in a small number of <italic>Drosophila</italic> species. Here we report the discovery of <italic>GUY1</italic> (<italic>gene unique to the Y</italic>), a gene unique to the Y chromosome in the Asian malaria mosquito, <italic>Anopheles stephensi</italic>, using an approach that compares Illumina sequences separately obtained from male and female genomic DNA. Experimental evidence confirmed that <italic>GUY1</italic> is a single copy gene found only on the Y chromosome. <italic>GUY1</italic> is transcribed at the very onset of zygotic transcription and encodes a small lysine‐rich protein that forms two alpha helices and shows DNA‐binding properties. Interestingly, three helix‐loop‐helix proteins are key factors that determine sex in the early embryo in <italic>Drosophila melanogaster</italic>. Single embryo analysis indicated that <italic>GUY1</italic> is only transcribed in male embryos and that the <italic>GUY1</italic> promoter is functional in the early embryos. <italic>GUY1</italic> may be used as a paternally inherited molecular marker. Further investigation of <italic>GUY1</italic> will contribute to the genetic approaches to control mosquito‐borne diseases.</p> </abstract>