Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40884200›Full record

ArticleMolecular biology and evolution2025

Influence of Gonadal and Chromosomal Sex on the Brain Transcriptome in a Mouse Species with Natural Sex Reversal.

Louise D Heitzmann, Paul A Saunders, Julie Perez, Pierre Boursot, Frederic Veyrunes

Abstract read
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Article in Molecular biology and evolution, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Louise D HeitzmannInstitut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier (ISEM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier 34095, France.ORCID 0000-0003-3280-2289
Paul A SaundersInstitut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier (ISEM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier 34095, France.ORCID 0000-0002-6282-0472
Julie PerezInstitut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier (ISEM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier 34095, France.
Pierre BoursotInstitut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier (ISEM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier 34095, France.ORCID 0000-0001-6366-2341
Frederic VeyrunesInstitut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier (ISEM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier 34095, France.ORCID 0000-0002-1706-9915

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Sex chromosomes are expected to play a role in shaping the transcriptional architecture of sexual dimorphism, through the direct expression of sex-linked genes, by regulating autosomal genes, or in interactions with hormones. Yet, their degree of involvement remains elusive partly because chromosomal sex (e.g. XX/XY) and gonadal sex (ovaries or testes) are usually inextricably intertwined. They are, however, dissociated in the African pygmy mouse, Mus minutoides, in which a feminizing X (X*) has evolved, resulting in three female genotypes (XX, XX*, and X*Y) and one male genotype (XY). Furthermore, all sex chromosomes are fused to autosomes (neo-sex chromosomes: neo-X, neo-X* and neo-Y). Despite complete sex reversal, X*Y females show distinctive phenotypes with greater fertility, divergent maternal care strategies, and the masculinization of some traits (e.g. enhanced aggressiveness). By comparing the brain transcriptome of the four sexual genotypes, we show that differential gene expression is mainly linked to gonadal sex but also, and significantly, to chromosomal sex. Genes influenced by chromosomal sex are overrepresented on sex-linked genomic regions, and some are strong candidates to explain X*Y-specific behavioral and reproductive traits. Our results also suggest the preferential inactivation of the X* chromosome in XX* females, only in the brain, which could explain their trait similarities with XX females. Overall, we show that sex and neo-sex chromosomes have profoundly impacted the brain transcriptome in ways that reflect their new transmission modes, evolutionary trajectories, and resulting genomic conflicts.

Indexed as

BrainSex ChromosomesSex Determination ProcessesTranscriptomeAnimalsFemaleGonadsMaleMicebrain transcriptomesex chromosomessex differencessex reversal

Identifiers

PMID40884200
PMCPMC12453993

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.