[HTML][HTML] Wilms' tumor 1 and Dax-1 modulate the orphan nuclear receptor SF-1 in sex-specific gene expression

MW Nachtigal, Y Hirokawa, DL Enyeart-VanHouten… - Cell, 1998 - cell.com
MW Nachtigal, Y Hirokawa, DL Enyeart-VanHouten, JN Flanagan, GD Hammer
Cell, 1998cell.com
Products of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) and Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) genes are essential for
mammalian gonadogenesis prior to sexual differentiation. In males, SF-1 participates in
sexual development by regulating expression of the polypeptide hormone Müllerian
inhibiting substance (MIS). Here, we show that WT1− KTS isoforms associate and synergize
with SF-1 to promote MIS expression. In contrast, WT1 missense mutations, associated with
male pseudohermaphroditism in Denys-Drash syndrome, fail to synergize with SF-1 …
Abstract
Products of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) and Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) genes are essential for mammalian gonadogenesis prior to sexual differentiation. In males, SF-1 participates in sexual development by regulating expression of the polypeptide hormone Müllerian inhibiting substance (MIS). Here, we show that WT1 −KTS isoforms associate and synergize with SF-1 to promote MIS expression. In contrast, WT1 missense mutations, associated with male pseudohermaphroditism in Denys-Drash syndrome, fail to synergize with SF-1. Additionally, the X-linked, candidate dosage-sensitive sex-reversal gene, Dax-1, antagonizes synergy between SF-1 and WT1, most likely through a direct interaction with SF-1. We propose that WT1 and Dax-1 functionally oppose each other in testis development by modulating SF-1–mediated transactivation.
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