Y sex-determining region


A region on the Y chromosome that determines the sex of the individual. This region goes by the symbol SRY (sex region Y). SRY is necessary and sufficient for male sex determination. It is the testis-determining factor.

Mutations in SRY give rise to XY females with gonadal dysgenesis who appear to be normal females at birth, but at puberty do not develop secondary sexual characteristics (breasts, etc.), do not menstruate, and have streak (fibrous) gonads without eggs. There is a high incidence of neoplasia (gonadoblastoma and germinoma) in the streak gonads.

Translocation (transfer) of the part of the Y chromosome containing SRY to the X chromosome results in XX males — individuals who have XX sex chromosomes but appear male.

SRY resides in chromosome band Yp11.3 and encodes a transcription factor that is a member of the high mobility group (HMG)-box family of DNA binding proteins.

Read Also:

  • Y-linkage

    ASMTY (which stands for acetyl serotonin methyltransferase), TSPY (testis-specific protein), IL3RAY (interleukin-3 receptor), SRY (sex-determining region), TDF (testis determining factor), ZFY (zinc finger protein), PRKY (protein kinase, Y-linked), AMGL (amelogenin), CSF2RY (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor, alpha subunit on the Y chromosome), ANT3Y (adenine nucleotide translocator-3 on the Y), AZF2 (azoospermia factor 2), BPY2 (basic protein […]

  • Y-linked gene

    ASMTY (which stands for acetyl serotonin methyltransferase), TSPY (testis-specific protein), IL3RAY (interleukin-3 receptor), SRY (sex-determining region), TDF (testis determining factor), ZFY (zinc finger protein), PRKY (protein kinase, Y-linked), AMGL (amelogenin), CSF2RY (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor, alpha subunit on the Y chromosome), ANT3Y (adenine nucleotide translocator-3 on the Y), AZF2 (azoospermia factor 2), BPY2 (basic protein […]

  • Y-linked inheritance

    ASMTY (which stands for acetylserotonin methyltransferase), TSPY (testis-specific protein), IL3RAY (interleukin-3 receptor), SRY (sex-determining region), TDF (testis determining factor), ZFY (zinc finger protein), PRKY (protein kinase, Y-linked), AMGL (amelogenin), CSF2RY (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor, alpha subunit on the Y chromosome), ANT3Y (adenine nucleotide translocator-3 on the Y), AZF2 (azoospermia factor 2), BPY2 (basic protein on […]

  • Y. pestis

    Yersinia pestis, the bacteria that causes the bubonic plague which in the year 541 (as the Black Death) and later in the Middle Ages decimated Europe. The effects of the plague are described in the nursery rhyme “We all fall down.” Y. pestis mainly infects rats and other rodents which are the prime reservoir for […]

  • YAC

    YAC stands for yeast artificial chromosome, a vector (carrier) created and used in the laboratory to clone pieces of DNA. A YAC is constructed from the telomeric, centromeric, and replication origin sequences needed for replication in yeast cells. (The telomere is the end of the chromosome; the centromere is the chromosome region to which spindle […]


Disclaimer: Y sex-determining region definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.