FIGLA, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, balances sexually dimorphic gene expression in postnatal oocytes.
Maintenance of sex-specific germ cells requires balanced activation and repression of genetic hierarchies to ensure gender-appropriate development in mammals. Figla (factor in the germ line, alpha) encodes a germ cell-specific basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor first identified as an activator of oocyte genes. In comparing the ovarian proteome of normal and Figla null newborn mice, 18 testis-specific or -enhanced proteins were identified that were more abundant in Figla null ovaries than in normal ovaries. Transgenic mice, ectopically expressing Figla in male germ cells, downregulated a subset of these genes and demonstrated age-related sterility associated with impaired meiosis and germ cell apoptosis. Testis-associated genes, including Tdrd1, Tdrd6, and Tdrd7, were suppressed in the transgenic males with a corresponding disruption of the sperm chromatoid body and mislocalization of MVH and MILI proteins, previously implicated in posttranscriptional processing of RNA. These data demonstrate that physiological expression of Figla plays a critical dual role in activation of oocyte-associated genes and repression of sperm-associated genes during normal postnatal oogenesis.
Hu
Wei
W
Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Gauthier
Lyn
L
Baibakov
Boris
B
Jimenez-Movilla
Maria
M
Dean
Jurrien
J
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C109920:Figla protein, mouse; C009301:spermaceti