Ovarian-specific expression of a new gene regulated by the goat PIS region and transcribed by a FOXL2 bidirectional promoter.
Studies on XX sex reversal in polled goats (PIS mutation: polled intersex syndrome) have led to the discovery of a female-specific locus crucial for ovarian differentiation. This genomic region is composed of at least two genes, FOXL2 and PISRT1, sharing a common transcriptional regulatory region, PIS. In this paper, we describe a third gene, PFOXic (promoter FOXL2 inverse complementary), located near FOXL2 in the opposite orientation. This gene composed of five exons encodes a 1723-bp cDNA, enclosing two repetitive elements in its 3' end. PFOXic mRNA encodes a putative protein of 163 amino acids with no homologies in any of the databases tested. The transcriptional expression of PFOXic is driven by a bidirectional promoter also enhancing FOXL2 transcription. In goats, PFOXic is expressed in developing ovaries, from 36 days postcoitum until adulthood. Ovarian-specific expression of PFOXic is regulated by the PIS region. PFOXic is found conserved only in Bovidae. But, a human gene located in the opposite orientation relative to FOXL2 can be considered a human PFOXic. Finally, we discuss evidence arguing for regulation of the level of FOXL2 transcription via the bidirectional promoter and the level of transcription of PFOXic.
Pannetier
Maëlle
M
Biologie du Développement et de la Reproduction, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Bât. J. Poly, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France.
Renault
Lauriane
L
Jolivet
Geneviève
G
Cotinot
Corinne
C
Pailhoux
Eric
E
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development; D005260:Female; D000074842:Forkhead Box Protein L2; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006041:Goats / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000235:genetics; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D019849:Sex Determination Processes; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C421604:FOXL2 protein, human; D000074842:Forkhead Box Protein L2; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors