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 o f the short arm of human (SRY) and mouse (Sry) Y chromosomes and consi dered 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 herei n 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 confir ms interspecies conservation of this chromosomal segment in the evolut ion of mammalian chromosomes, and suggests further use of this gene pr obe in genomic studies in other mammals. The assignment of the Sry gen e is the second physical gene mapping data available for the Y chromos ome in pigs. Such data can be used in the effort of constructing the p ig gene map and for further establishment of a comparison of sex chrom osome morphology in different mammalian species concerning sex-specifi c and pseudoautosomal regions.