Gwendolyn Grove
Research Mentor: Jacob Mueller
Mentor Department: Human Genetics, Medicine
Author(s): Gwen Grove, Ben Baker, Ann Marie Lawson, Jacob Mueller
Session: Session 2 (10:00 AM – 10:50 AM)
Presentation Type: Poster 99
Abstract
Most organisms sire and equal sex ratio with 50% male and 50% female offspring. However, in a single mating, distorted sex ratios are observed with significantly greater than or less than 50% males or females. Previous studies in mice have established that duplication of the Slx results in sex ratio distortion and is thus considered a “Selfish gene†that promotes its own transmission to future generations. I am testing if mice lacking Slx (Slx?/Y) and mice lacking both Slx and Nxf2 (Nxf2?/Y) result in sex ratio distortion. I have crossed Slx ?/Ymice to Nxf2 ?/+ mice to generate Slx ?/Y, Nxf2 ?/Y in cis in male mice. After screening and identifying Slx ?/Y, Nxf2 ?/Y, I am now breeding Slx ?/Y, Nxf2 ?/Y male mice with wild-type female mice to determine if these genes are “selfish†and cause sex ratio distortion in their offspring. An analysis of the offspring numbers shows us [Results go here when finished with project]. The results show that male mice with the genotype of Slx ?/Y, Nxf2 ?/Yskew the sex ratio towards males/females. My studies will aid in the understanding of “selfish genes†in mice and how “selfish genes†in humans may also skew the sex ratio towards males or females, because humans have similar functioning genes to Slx and Nxf2.
