THE SEX-DETERMINING REGION-Y (SRY) GENE IS MAPPED TO P12-P13 OF THE Y-CHROMOSOME IN PIG (SUS-SCROFA-DOMESTICA) BY IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION

The sex-determining region Y is a gene located in the distal portion of the short arm of human (SRY) and mouse (Sry) Y chromosomes and considered to be the best candidate for the testis determining factor (TDF/Tdy). The gene is believed to be the key factor in sex differentiation in mammals and is conserved across mammalian species. We report herein that the SRY/Sry gene has been assigned to p12-p13 on the short arm of the Y chromosome in pig by in situ hybridization. The result confirms interspecies conservation of this chromosomal segment in the evolution of mammalian chromosomes, and suggests further use of this gene probe in genomic studies in other mammals. The assignment of the Sry gene is the second physical gene mapping data available for the Y chromosome in pigs. Such data can be used in the effort of constructing the pig gene map and for further establishment of a comparison of sex chromosome morphology in different mammalian species concerning sex-specific and pseudoautosomal regions.