title: The LIM-only coactivator FHL2 modulates WT1 transcriptional activity during gonadal differentiation.
abstract: An essential step during sex determination is the maintenance of the Müllerian duct in females and its regression in males caused by the expression of Müllerian inhibiting substance (MIS). In testes, the Wilms' tumor suppressor and the orphan nuclear receptor SF1 cooperatively bind to the promoter and activate transcription of MIS. In the ovaries, on the other hand, the orphan nuclear receptor DAX1 binds to SF1, inhibits transactivation by WT1/SF1 and thereby suppresses the induction of MIS expression. In addition, WT1 itself is responsible for the upregulation of DAX1 transcription. So far, little is known on which protein-protein interactions or cofactors elicit the spatiotemporal control of WT1-mediated transcription. Here we demonstrate coexpression of the LIM-only coactivator FHL2 and WT1. FHL2 and WT1 functionally interact both in vitro and in vivo. The importance of this interaction is revealed by the ability of FHL2 to potentiate the synergistic induction of MIS gene expression by WT1/SF1. Moreover, FHL2 coactivates transactivation of the DAX1 promoter by WT1. Hence, we present FHL2 as a novel transcriptional coactivator of WT1. The ability to modulate both DAX1 and MIS expression might allow FHL2 to act in the molecular fine tuning of WT1-dependent control mechanisms in the reproductive organs.
authors.affiliation: Universitäts-Frauenklinik und Zentrum für Klinische Forschung, Klinikum der Universität Freiburg, Breisacherstrasse 66, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Xiaojuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hublitz
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Günther
authors.forename: Dagmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wilhelm
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Englert
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schüle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D057137:DAX-1 Orphan Nuclear Receptor; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D010053:Ovary / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000235:genetics; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D019849:Sex Determination Processes; D013735:Testicular Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D013737:Testis / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015533:Transcriptional Activation; D020798:Two-Hybrid System Techniques; D025721:WT1 Proteins / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D057137:DAX-1 Orphan Nuclear Receptor; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C491382:Fhl2 protein, mouse; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; C539966:Nr0b1 protein, mouse; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D013735:Testicular Hormones; D014157:Transcription Factors; D025721:WT1 Proteins; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone