Basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor TCF21 is a downstream target of the male sex determining gene SRY

Ramji K Bhandari; Ingrid Sadler-Riggleman; Tracy M Clement; Michael K Skinner

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0019935

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Basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor TCF21 is a downstream target of the male sex determining gene SRY

Journal article

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Basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor TCF21 is a downstream target of the male sex determining gene SRY

Ramji K Bhandari, Ingrid Sadler-Riggleman, Tracy M Clement and Michael K Skinner

PloS one, Vol.6(5), pp.e19935-e19935

2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0019935

Handle:

https://hdl.handle.net/2376/103050

PMCID: PMC3101584

PMID: 21637323

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Abstract

Sex-Determining Region Y Protein - genetics

Testis - metabolism

Molecular Sequence Data

Male

Gene Expression Profiling

Ovary - cytology

Promoter Regions, Genetic - genetics

Embryo, Mammalian - metabolism

Cell Differentiation - genetics

Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors - metabolism

Testis - embryology

Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental

Sertoli Cells - cytology

Base Sequence

Female

Recombinant Proteins - metabolism

Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors - genetics

Testis - cytology

Sex Determination Processes - genetics

Protein Transport

Protein Binding

Sex-Determining Region Y Protein - metabolism

Immunohistochemistry

The cascade of molecular events involved in mammalian sex determination has been shown to involve the SRY gene, but specific downstream events have eluded researchers for decades. The current study identifies one of the first direct downstream targets of the male sex determining factor SRY as the basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor TCF21. SRY was found to bind to the Tcf21 promoter and activate gene expression. Mutagenesis of SRY/SOX9 response elements in the Tcf21 promoter eliminated the actions of SRY. SRY was found to directly associate with the Tcf21 promoter SRY/SOX9 response elements in vivo during fetal rat testis development. TCF21 was found to promote an in vitro sex reversal of embryonic ovarian cells to induce precursor Sertoli cell differentiation. TCF21 and SRY had similar effects on the in vitro sex reversal gonadal cell transcriptomes. Therefore, SRY acts directly on the Tcf21 promoter to in part initiate a cascade of events associated with Sertoli cell differentiation and embryonic testis development.

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Title: Basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor TCF21 is a downstream target of the male sex determining gene SRY
Creators: Ramji K Bhandari - Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
Ingrid Sadler-Riggleman
Tracy M Clement
Michael K Skinner
Publication Details: PloS one, Vol.6(5), pp.e19935-e19935
Academic Unit: Biological Sciences, School of
Publisher: United States
Identifiers: 99900546651401842
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article