Foxl2 is required for commitment to ovary differentiation.
Genetic control of female sex differentiation from a bipotential gonad in mammals is poorly understood. We find that mouse XX gonads lacking the forkhead transcription factor Foxl2 form meiotic prophase oocytes, but then activate the genetic program for somatic testis determination. Pivotal Foxl2 action thus represses the male gene pathway at several stages of female gonadal differentiation. This suggests the possible continued involvement of sex-determining genes in maintaining ovarian function throughout female reproductive life.
Ottolenghi
Chris
C
Laboratory of Genetics, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
Omari
Shakib
S
Garcia-Ortiz
J Elias
JE
Uda
Manuela
M
Crisponi
Laura
L
Forabosco
Antonino
A
Pilia
Giuseppe
G
Schlessinger
David
D
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D000074842:Forkhead Box Protein L2; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010053:Ovary / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*
D000074842:Forkhead Box Protein L2; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C498893:Foxl2 protein, mouse