title: The SOX gene family: function and regulation in testis determination and male fertility maintenance.
abstract: The Sox (Sry-type HMG box) genes encode a group of proteins characterized by the existence of an SRY (sex-determining region on Y chromosome) box, a 79 amino acid motif that encodes an HMG (high mobility group) domain which can bind and bend DNA, which is the only part in SRY that is conserved between species. The Sox gene family functions in many aspects in embryogenesis, including testis development, CNS neurogenesis, oligodendrocyte development, chondrogenesis, neural crest cell development and other respects. The Sox gene family was originally identified through homology with Sry. The Sry gene is the mammalian testis-determining gene. It functions to open the testis determination pathway directly and close the ovary pathway indirectly. Sry and Sox9 are the most important two genes expressed during testis determination. Besides, researchers have found that Sox8 and Sox9 have functions in the male fertility maintenance after birth. In this review, information was evaluated from mouse or from human if not mentioned otherwise.
authors.affiliation: The Sperm Laboratory, Institute of Cell and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Cong-Cong
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Zhen-Yu
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: She
authors.forename: Wan-Xi
authors.initials: WX
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005810:Multigene Family; D055747:SOX Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019849:Sex Determination Processes / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D055747:SOX Transcription Factors