Sohlh1 is essential for spermatogonial differentiation.
Spermatogonia are adult germline stem cells that can both self-renew and differentiate into spermatocytes. Little is known about factors necessary for spermatogonial differentiation. We identified a novel germ-cell-specific transcription factor that we named Sohlh1 (testis and ovary expressed basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor). In males, Sohlh1 is preferentially expressed in prespermatogonia and Type A spermatogonia. Loss of Sohlh1 causes infertility by disrupting spermatogonial differentiation into spermatocytes. Seven-day-old testes without Sohlh1 still express the testis-specific transcription factors Etv5, Taf4b, Zfp148, and Plzf, overexpress a novel Tohlh2 bHLH transcription factor, but lack LIM homeobox gene Lhx8 and show reduced expression of Ngn3. Sohlh1 represents the first testis-specific bHLH transcription factor that is essential for spermatogonial differentiation.
Faculty Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1709 Dryden Street, Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Ballow
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Meistrich
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Matzuk
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Rajkovic
D000818:Animals; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000166:cytology; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000166:cytology*; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; C511466:Sohlh1 protein, mouse