InterPro domain: IPR026736

Protein virilizer may be involved in mRNA splicing regulation. Most of the studies on virilizer were carried out in fruit fly. In Drosophila, protein virilizer is required for male and female viability, sex determination and dosage compensation. It is involved in the female-specific splicing of Sxl transcripts. It is required for proper inclusion of regulated exons in Ubx transcripts [ 1 , 2 , 3 ].

1. Molecular identification of virilizer, a gene required for the expression of the sex-determining gene Sex-lethal in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 157, 679-88
2. The gene virilizer is required for female-specific splicing controlled by Sxl, the master gene for sexual development in Drosophila. Development 121, 4017-26
3. Trans-acting factors required for inclusion of regulated exons in the Ultrabithorax mRNAs of Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 151, 1517-29