Sohlh2 affects differentiation of KIT positive oocytes and spermatogonia

Dev Biol. 2009 Jan 1;325(1):238-48. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2008.10.019. Epub 2008 Oct 29.

Abstract

The differentiation programs of spermatogenesis and oogenesis are largely independent. In the early stages, however, the mechanisms partly overlap. Here we demonstrated that a germ-cell-specific basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor gene, Sohlh2, is required for early spermatogenesis and oogenesis. SOHLH2 was expressed in mouse spermatogonia from the undifferentiated stage through differentiation and in primordial-to-primary oocytes. Sohlh2-null mice, produced by gene targeting, showed both male and female sterility, owing to the disrupted differentiation of mature (KIT(+)) spermatogonia and oocytes. The Sohlh2-null mice also showed the downregulation of genes involved in spermatogenesis and oogenesis, including the Sohlh1 gene, which is essential for these processes. Furthermore, we showed that SOHLH2 and SOHLH1 could form heterodimers. These observations suggested that SOHLH2 might coordinate with SOHLH1 to control spermatogonial and oocyte genes, including Sohlh1, to promote the differentiation of KIT(+) germ cells in vivo. This study lays the foundation for further dissection of the bHLH network that regulates early spermatogenesis and oogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / deficiency
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cell Line
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Oocytes / cytology*
  • Oocytes / metabolism*
  • Oogenesis / genetics
  • Protein Binding
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / metabolism*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Spermatogenesis / genetics
  • Spermatogonia / cytology*
  • Spermatogonia / metabolism*
  • Testis / cytology
  • Testis / metabolism

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Sohlh1 protein, mouse
  • Sohlh2 protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit