The study explores the significant role of ferrous iron (Fe 2+) in histone demethylation which is vital for the regulation of the Sry gene involved in male sex determination. Researchers discovered that iron-producing pathways are activated in mouse embryonic gonads during the critical sex-determining period. They demonstrated that iron chelation leads to reduced histone demethylation, diminished Sry expression, and promotes ovarian developmental markers. Moreover, manipulation of iron availability via genetic and dietary interventions resulted in male-to-female gonadal sex reversal, suggesting a strong link between iron levels and sexual differentiation in mammals.
Ferrous iron is essential for histone demethylation, impacting the epigenetic regulation necessary for male sex determination in mammals, particularly affecting the Sry gene.
Our findings indicate that iron metabolism is critically involved in sex determination. Disruption of iron pathways can lead to significant alterations in gonadal development.
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