Updated by: Arabinda Naik
A sex-limited gene is a type of gene that is present in both males and females but is expressed or functional in only one sex. In other words, the gene's effects or traits it influences are restricted to individuals of a specific sex. Sex-limited genes are typically associated with characteristics or traits that are specific to one sex due to differences in the reproductive anatomy, hormonal environment, or other sex-specific factors.
For example, in mammals, genes that control the development of male or female reproductive organs are often sex-limited. The SRY gene in humans is a well-known sex-limited gene; it is found on the Y chromosome and is responsible for initiating the development of male sexual characteristics. In females, this gene is present but is not expressed because they lack a Y chromosome.
It's important to distinguish between sex-limited genes and sex-linked genes. Sex-linked genes are genes that are located on the sex chromosomes (the X and Y chromosomes in humans) and may exhibit different patterns of inheritance between males and females. Sex-limited genes, on the other hand, can be found on autosomes (non-sex chromosomes) but are expressed in a sex-specific manner.