Mutations within Sox2/SOX2 are associated with abnormalities in the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis in mice and humans.
The transcription factor SOX2 is expressed most notably in the developing CNS and placodes, where it plays critical roles in embryogenesis. Heterozygous de novo mutations in SOX2 have previously been associated with bilateral anophthalmia/microphthalmia, developmental delay, short stature, and male genital tract abnormalities. Here we investigated the role of Sox2 in murine pituitary development. Mice heterozygous for a targeted disruption of Sox2 did not manifest eye defects, but showed abnormal anterior pituitary development with reduced levels of growth hormone, luteinizing hormone, and thyroid-stimulating hormone. Consequently, we identified 8 individuals (from a cohort of 235 patients) with heterozygous sequence variations in SOX2. Six of these were de novo mutations, predicted to result in truncated protein products, that exhibited partial or complete loss of function (DNA binding, nuclear translocation, or transactivation). Clinical evaluation revealed that, in addition to bilateral eye defects, SOX2 mutations were associated with anterior pituitary hypoplasia and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, variable defects affecting the corpus callosum and mesial temporal structures, hypothalamic hamartoma, sensorineural hearing loss, and esophageal atresia. Our data show that SOX2 is necessary for the normal development and function of the hypothalamo-pituitary and reproductive axes in both humans and mice.
Kelberman
Daniel
D
London Centre for Paediatric Endocrinology, Biochemistry, Endocrinology, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Rizzoti
Karine
K
Avilion
Ariel
A
Bitner-Glindzicz
Maria
M
Cianfarani
Stefano
S
Collins
Julie
J
Chong
W Kling
WK
Kirk
Jeremy M W
JM
Achermann
John C
JC
Ross
Richard
R
Carmignac
Danielle
D
Lovell-Badge
Robin
R
Robinson
Iain C A F
IC
Dattani
Mehul T
MT
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000235:genetics; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005124:Eye Abnormalities / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D024002:HMGB Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000002:abnormalities*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000002:abnormalities*; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D024002:HMGB Proteins; C527782:SOX2 protein, human; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors; C527783:Sox2 protein, mouse; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors