Male-enhanced expression and genetic conservation of a gene isolated with an anti-H-Y antibody.

The hypothesis of the serological H-Y antigen as the inducer molecule for mammalian male sex differentiation has been considered an important working model in developmental biology. However, because of the difficulties involved in its detection, supporting evidence in molecular terms is lacking for this hypothesis. The isolation of the gene for the serological H-Y antigen is essential to the acertainment of its proposed functions. Using recombinant DNA technology and specific anti-H-Y sera we have isolated a candidate gene, the MEA gene, for the serological H-Y antigen. Molecular characterization of the MEA gene shows male-enhanced expression and genetic conservation patterns similar to those attributed to the serological H-Y antigen. The isolation of this candidate gene for the serological H-Y antigen. The isolation of this candidate gene for the serological H-Y antigen would allow further investigations to identify the functions for this molecule in molecular terms.