Related function of mouse SOX3, SOX9, and SRY HMG domains assayed by male sex determination.
Sox genes encode proteins related to each other, and to the sex determining gene Sry, by the presence of a DNA binding motif known as the HMG domain. Although HMG domains can bind to related DNA sequences, Sox gene products may achieve target gene specificity by binding to preferred target sequences or by interacting with specific partner proteins. To assess their functional similarities, we replaced the HMG box of Sry with the HMG box of Sox3 or Sox9 and tested whether these constructs caused sex reversal in XX mice. Our results indicate that such chimeric transgenes can functionally replace Sry and elicit development of testis cords, male patterns of gene expression, and elaboration of male secondary sexual characteristics. This implies that chimeric SRY proteins with SOX HMG domains can bind to and regulate SRY target genes and that potential SRY partner factor interactions are not disrupted by HMG domain substitutions. genesis 28:111-124, 2000.
Bergstrom
D E
DE
The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA.
Young
M
M
Albrecht
K H
KH
Eicher
E M
EM
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development; D005333:Fetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D018628:Gene Dosage; D005808:Genes, Recessive; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors; D019849:Sex Determination Processes; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D014960:X Chromosome
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein; C527786:Sox3 protein, mouse; C527933:Sox9 protein, mouse; C497746:Sry protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors