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Gene Review:

HINTW - histidine triad nucleotide binding protein W

Gallus gallus

Synonyms: ASW, HIM, PKCIW, WPKCI-8, Wpkci-7

Backström, N. et al., Hori, T. et al., Ceplitis, H. et al., Scholz, B. et al., Kamata, R. et al.

Scholz, Kultima, Mattsson, Axelsson, Brunström, Halldin, Stigson, Dencker,

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High impact information on WPKCI-8

The Wpkci gene reiterated approximately 40 times tandemly and located at the nonheterochromatic end of the chicken W chromosome [1].
Deduced amino acid sequences of Wpkci and chPKCI showed approximately 65% identity [1].
When the green fluorescent protein-fused form of Wpkci was expressed in male chicken embryonic fibroblast, it was located almost exclusively in the nucleus [1].
While sexual selection is one of several factors that potentially affect the evolution of ampliconic, male-specific genes on the mammalian Y chromosome, data from HINTW provide evidence that gene amplification followed by gene conversion can evolve in female-specific chromosomes in the absence of sexual selection [2].
Moreover, as HINTW is distinctly different from its homolog on the Z chromosome (HINTZ), is a candidate gene in avian sex determination, and evolves rapidly under positive selection, it shows several common features to ampliconic and testis-specific genes on the mammalian Y chromosome [2].

Biological context of WPKCI-8

Genes located on the sex chromosomes (ZZ in males and ZW in females) were common among the differentially expressed genes, several of which (WPKCI-8, HINT, MHM non-coding RNA) have previously been implicated in avian sex determination [3].
A significantly higher GC content of HINTW than of other W-linked genes is consistent with biased gene conversion increasing the fixation probability of mutations involving G and C nucleotides [2].
The region on W encompassing the HINTW gene cluster is not covered in the initial assembly of the chicken genome, but analysis of raw sequence reads indicates that gene copy number is significantly higher than a previous estimate of 40 [2].
Adaptive molecular evolution of HINTW, a female-specific gene in birds [4].

Anatomical context of WPKCI-8

Moreover, because HINTW is expressed in the gonads of female birds just before sexual differentiation and is thus a candidate for sex determination, it suggests adaptive evolution related to female development [4].

Other interactions of WPKCI-8

Transcripts of the genes for sex-determining factors except Wpkci and AMH were detected in both sexes but had no sexual dimorphism [5].

References

Wpkci, encoding an altered form of PKCI, is conserved widely on the avian W chromosome and expressed in early female embryos: implication of its role in female sex determination. Hori, T., Asakawa, S., Itoh, Y., Shimizu, N., Mizuno, S. Mol. Biol. Cell (2000) [Pubmed]
Gene conversion drives the evolution of HINTW, an ampliconic gene on the female-specific avian W chromosome. Backström, N., Ceplitis, H., Berlin, S., Ellegren, H. Mol. Biol. Evol. (2005) [Pubmed]
Sex-dependent gene expression in early brain development of chicken embryos. Scholz, B., Kultima, K., Mattsson, A., Axelsson, J., Brunström, B., Halldin, K., Stigson, M., Dencker, L. BMC neuroscience [electronic resource]. (2006) [Pubmed]
Adaptive molecular evolution of HINTW, a female-specific gene in birds. Ceplitis, H., Ellegren, H. Mol. Biol. Evol. (2004) [Pubmed]
Gene expression of sex-determining factors and steroidogenic enzymes in the chicken embryo: influence of xenoestrogens. Kamata, R., Takahashi, S., Morita, M. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. (2004) [Pubmed]

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