title: RFX1 maintains testis cord integrity by regulating the expression of Itga6 in male mouse embryos.
abstract: Formation and maintenance of testis cords during embryogenesis are essential for establishing testicular structure and function in adults. At least five genes (Wt1, Dhh, Sox8/Sox9, and Dax1) appear to be required for the maintenance of testis cord integrity in mice. Here, we report that RFX1 is specifically expressed in fetal Sertoli cells. Mouse embryos conditionally deficient in Rfx1 (Rfx1(flox/flox) , Amh-Cre) possessed disrupted testis cords, as the basal lamina lining was fragmented or completely absent in some areas of the testes. Spermatogenesis was blocked, leading to complete infertility. Expression of integrin alpha-6 was significantly decreased in Rfx1-deficient testes compared to control testes; indeed, luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays indicated that RFX1 directly activates transcription of Itga6 (the gene coding for integrin alpha-6). Taken together, RFX1 transcriptionally targets Itga6 in Sertoli cells, thereby, helping maintain the integrity of the basal lamina during testis cord development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 606-614, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guang Zhou, China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guang Zhou, China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.affiliation: Assisted Reproductive Center, General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Shi-Qin
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guang Zhou, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.affiliation: Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guang Zhou, China.
authors.forename: Zhan-Sen
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guang Zhou, China.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D039503:Integrin alpha6 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D000071716:Regulatory Factor X1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D039503:Integrin alpha6; D000071716:Regulatory Factor X1; C000605538:Rfx1 protein, mouse
keywords: Basal lamina; Itga6; RFX1; Sertoli cells; Testis cords