SOX9 regulates prostaglandin D synthase gene transcription in vivo to ensure testis development.
In mammals, male sex is determined by the Y-chromosomal gene Sry (sex-determining region of Y chromosome). The expression of Sry and subsequently Sox9 (SRY box containing gene 9) in precursors of the supporting cell lineage results in the differentiation of these cells into Sertoli cells. Sertoli cells in turn orchestrate the development of all other male-specific cell types. To ensure that Sertoli cells differentiate in sufficient numbers to induce normal testis development, the early testis produces prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)), which recruits cells of the supporting cell lineage to a Sertoli cell fate. Here we show that the gene encoding prostaglandin D synthase (Pgds), the enzyme that produces PGD(2), is expressed in Sertoli cells immediately after the onset of Sox9 expression. Promoter analysis in silico and in vitro identified a paired SOX/SRY binding site. Interestingly, only SOX9, and not SRY, was able to bind as a dimer to this site and transactivate the Pgds promoter. In line with this, a transgenic mouse model showed that Pgds expression is not affected by ectopic Sry expression. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation proved that SOX9 but not SRY binds to the Pgds promoter in vivo.
Wilhelm
Dagmar
D
Division of Molecular Genetics and Development, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.
Hiramatsu
Ryuji
R
Mizusaki
Hirofumi
H
Widjaja
Laura
L
Combes
Alexander N
AN
Kanai
Yoshiakira
Y
Koopman
Peter
P
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000502:physiology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000502:physiology*; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D054834:Lipocalins; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D015230:Prostaglandin D2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020218:Response Elements / Q000502:physiology; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000502:physiology; D014998:Y Chromosome / Q000235:genetics
D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins; D054834:Lipocalins; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein; C527933:Sox9 protein, mouse; C497746:Sry protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases; C022466:prostaglandin R2 D-isomerase; D015230:Prostaglandin D2