DMRT13

DMRT13 is described as a proposed or poorly characterized member of the DMRT (doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor) gene family. The DMRT family comprises DNA-binding transcription factors defined by a conserved DM domain, which mediates sequence-specific DNA interactions and protein partnerships. In vertebrates, characterized members include DMRT1, DMRT2, DMRT3, DMRT4 and DMRT5, which have roles in sex determination, gonadal development, germ cell differentiation, and neural development. For DMRT13, however, there is no widely confirmed functional gene description across species.

In several genome annotations, DMRT13 or DMRT-13-like sequences have been predicted, but there is no consensus on whether these represent functional genes, pseudogenes, or misannotations. Consequently, there are no experimentally validated data on its expression patterns, regulatory targets, or phenotypic effects. The lack of robust evidence means that its status remains uncertain in terms of biology and taxonomy.

If a functional DMRT13 exists, it would be expected to encode a DM domain-containing transcription factor, potentially with tissue-restricted expression similar to other DMRT paralogs. Its precise role—such as involvement in sex differentiation, gonadal development, or neural processes—would be speculative at present, pending experimental verification.

Overall, DMRT13 remains a placeholder or uncertain member within the DMRT family, with unclear evolutionary origin and limited or nonexistent experimental characterization. See also related DMRT genes and the broader context of sex-determination pathways.