The histone demethylase KDM6B regulates temperature-dependent sex determination in a turtle species

Making males and back again Temperature-dependent sex determination occurs in many reptilian species. An epigenetic mechanism is presumed to be at work, but thus far it has not been identified. Ge et al. show that in the red-eared slider turtle, an epigenetic modifier, the histone demethylase KDM6B, binds to the promoter of the dominant male gene to activate male development (see the Perspective by Georges and Holleley). Knock down the expression of KDM6B, and embryos destined to be male turn into females. Science , this issue p. 645 ; see also p. 601