Transcriptomics Unveil Dsx1 as a Critical Regulator in Sexual Dimorphism of Crustaceans.
Tong Y, Xin W, Liu Z, Zheng Y, Huang M
Crispr
CRISPR gene-editing tools validated here on crustaceans are the same tools plant breeders now use to develop drought-resistant and disease-resistant crops you find at the grocery store — every advance in CRISPR precision in any organism trickles directly into the plant science toolkit.
Researchers studied tiny shrimp-like animals and found one gene acts like a biological dial that decides whether males grow their distinctive large claws. When they turned off that gene using a molecular scissors tool called CRISPR, males grew female-shaped limbs instead. This shows how a single gene can be responsible for dramatic physical differences between males and females across many animal groups.
Key Findings
Dsx1 shows male-biased expression throughout leg development in male amphipod crustaceans (Morinoia aosen)
RNA interference knockdown of Dsx1 caused feminization of regenerated male legs, directly linking the gene to sexually dimorphic traits
CRISPR-Cas9 knockout in a crustacean model species (Parhyale hawaiensis) confirmed feminization of male legs, validating conserved Dsx1 function across species
chevron_right Technical Summary
Scientists identified a gene called Dsx1 that controls whether crustaceans (small shrimp-like animals) develop male or female physical traits. When they disabled this gene using CRISPR, male crustaceans grew female-shaped legs — confirming Dsx1 as a master switch for sex-specific body features.
Abstract Preview
Sexually dimorphic traits are involved in reproductive competition and are specified during development through sex-biased gene expression programs. Here, we test this hypothesis using RNA-seq data...
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