Why Are a Number of Unlinked Genes Involved in H-Y Antigen Expression ?

Abstract

The master regulatory gene that occupies the very top of a regulatory hierarchy, by its very definition should not be under the regulatory influence of any other gene. It is true that by forming a feedback loop, any gene can assume the dual role of being at once the regulator and the regulated. This form of genetic regulatory system, however, is likely to operate at the periphery of a given regulatory hierarchy. Organogenesis being one of the earlier events of ontogeny, the role of organogenesis-directing antigen is to trigger the sequential activation of subsidiary regulatory systems, some of which may form feedback loops.