Abstract
Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factor Tcf21 Is a Downstream Target of SRY
Biology of reproduction, Vol.85(Suppl_1), pp.114-114
07/01/2011
Abstract
In mammals, the process of sex determination starts with differentiation of somatic cells. The expression of Sry in precursor Sertoli cells initiates male sex determination. The differentiation of Sertoli cells commences when SRY and SF1 synergistically induce the expression of Sox9. Although SOX9 is considered as a critical downstream target of SRY, it is believed that there are many downstream targets that play important roles in testicular cell differentiation. SRY binds to HMG box motif sequences on the DNA; the cell fate associated genes containing HMG box binding sites in their promoter are considered potential downstream target candidates. Here we show that the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor Tcf21 is one of the in vivo downstream targets of SRY. Microarray analysis of transcripts from both mouse and rat gonads undergoing male sex determination and testicular differentiation yielded Tcf21 as one of the highly expressed genes. Tcf21 protein is localized to Sertoli cells during sex determination and to interstitial cells after testicular cord formation. SRY protein interacted with Tcf21 promoter in vitro. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), we found an in vivo association of SRY with Tcf21 promoter during male sex determination suggesting Tcf21 is one of the downstream targets of SRY. Furthermore, Tcf21 overexpression induced the expression of the Sertoli cell marker Amh in cultured embryonic ovarian cells, suggesting an in vitro sex reversal of cellular differentiation. Present results suggest that Tcf21 is one of the downstream targets of SRY and a potential regulator of Sertoli cell differentiation. Our results provide important insights into the role of bHLH factors in gonadal somatic cell differentiation.
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Details
- Title
- Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factor Tcf21 Is a Downstream Target of SRY
- Creators
- Ramji Bhandari - Washington State UniversityTracy M. Clement - National Institute of Environmental Health SciencesIngrid Sadler-RigglemanMichael K. Skinner - Washington State University
- Publication Details
- Biology of reproduction, Vol.85(Suppl_1), pp.114-114
- Academic Unit
- Biological Sciences, School of
- Identifiers
- 99901080309701842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Abstract