title: Oogenesis requires germ cell-specific transcriptional regulators Sohlh1 and Lhx8.
abstract: Mammalian oogenesis requires oocyte-specific transcriptional regulators. The full complement of oocyte-specific transcription factors is unknown. Here, we describe the finding that Sohlh1, a spermatogenesis and oogenesis basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor in females, is preferentially expressed in oocytes and required for oogenesis. Sohlh1 disruption perturbs follicular formation in part by causing down-regulation of two genes that are known to disrupt folliculogenesis: newborn ovary homeobox gene (Nobox) and factor in the germ-line alpha (Figla). In addition, we show that Lhx8 is downstream of Sohlh1 and critical in fertility. Thus, Sohlh1 and Lhx8 are two germ cell-specific, critical regulators of oogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Pangas
authors.forename: Youngsok
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Ballow
authors.forename: Yangu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Heiner
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Westphal
authors.forename: Martin M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Matzuk
authors.forename: Aleksandar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rajkovic
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006579:Heterozygote; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008954:Models, Biological; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D009866:Oogenesis; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C112960:LIM homeobox protein 8; C511466:Sohlh1 protein, mouse