title: Analysis of SOX2 expression in developing human testis and germ cell neoplasia.
abstract: The transcriptional regulators of pluripotency, POU5F1 (OCT4), NANOG and SOX2, are highly expressed in embryonal carcinoma (EC). In contrast to OCT4 and NANOG, SOX2 has not been demonstrated in the early human germ cell lineage or carcinoma in situ (CIS), the precursor for testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs). Here, we have analysed SOX2 expression in CIS and overt TGCTs, as well as normal second and third trimester fetal, prepubertal and adult testes by in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry using three different antibodies. In contrast to earlier studies, we detected SOX2 mRNA in most CIS cells. We also detected speckled nuclear SOX2 immunoreactivity in CIS cells with one primary antibody, which was not apparent with other primary antibodies. The results demonstrate SOX2 gene expression in CIS for the first time and raise the possibility of post-transcriptional regulation, most likely sumoylation as a mechanism for limiting SOX2 action in these cells.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Si B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Sonne
authors.forename: Rebecca M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Perrett
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Baxter
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Kristensen
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Leffers
authors.forename: Neil A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Hanley
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rajpert-De-Meyts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018236:Carcinoma, Embryonal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D015870:Gene Expression; D005796:Genes; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; C527782:SOX2 protein, human; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors