Analysis of the Doublesex Female Protein in Drosophila melanogaster: Role in Sexual Differentiation and Behavior and Dependence on Intersex

Corresponding author: Paul Schedl, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544., pschedl{at}molbio.princeton.edu (E-mail)

Communicating editor: K. ANDERSON

doublesex (dsx) is unusual among the known sex-determination genes of Drosophila melanogaster in that functional homologs are found in distantly related species. In flies, dsx occupies a position near the bottom of the sex determination hierarchy. It is expressed in male- and female-specific forms and these proteins function as sex-specific transcription factors. In the studies reported here, we have ectopically expressed the female Dsx protein (Dsx^F) from a constitutive promoter and examined its regulatory activities independent of other upstream factors involved in female sex determination. We show that it functions as a positive regulator of female differentiation and a negative regulator of male differentiation. As predicted by the DNA-binding properties of the Dsx protein, Dsx^F and Dsx^M compete with each other for the regulation of target genes. In addition to directing sex-specific differentiation, Dsx^F plays an important role in sexual behavior. Wild-type males ectopically expressing Dsx^F are actively courted by other males. This acquisition of feminine sex appeal is likely due to the induction of female pheromones by Dsx^F. More extreme behavioral abnormalities are observed when Dsx^F is ectopically expressed in dsx^- XY animals; these animals are not only courted by, but also copulate with, wild-type males. Finally, we provide evidence that intersex is required for the feminizing activities of Dsx^F and that it is not regulated by the sex-specific splicing cascade.

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