FBS Colloquia No.307Laboratory of Epigenome Dynamics
Seminar or Lecture |
Role of iron in mouse sex determination Naoki Okashita [Assistant Professor, Laboratory of Epigenome Dynamics] |
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Date and Time | 15 Sep. 2022 (Thu), 12:15~13:00 |
Place | Online (Zoom) | An email will be sent with the meeting URL, ID, and password to all FBS members. |
Language | Japanese |
Contact |
Shunsuke Kuroki (Associate Professor) |
Role of iron in mouse sex determination
Iron is an essential metal for living organisms and functions as the active center of enzymes that catalyze various redox enzymes. DNA/histone demethylation, an epigenetic regulation important for ontogeny, is also catalyzed by enzymes with divalent iron (Fe2+) in their active center. Sex determination in mammals is determined by the expression of the testis-determining factor Sry in the male gonads, which induces individuals to become male. The Tachibana lab has previously shown that iron-requiring DNA/histone demethylases are important for mouse fetuses sex determination. Fe2+ is also essential for the demethylation reaction by the enzymes responsible for DNA/Histone demethylation. In addition, we have recently found that a group of genes involved in iron uptake into cells and a group of genes that promote Fe2+ production are highly expressed in the gonads of fetuses during the sex-determination period. In this colloquium, we would like to introduce the role of iron and its importance in sex determination.