The transcription factors Sox5 and Sox9 regulate Catsper1 gene expression

FEBS Lett. 2014 Sep 17;588(18):3352-60. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.07.024. Epub 2014 Aug 4.

Abstract

Catsper is a Ca(2+)permeable channel required for sperm hyperactivation. In spite of its central role in male fertility, the transcriptional mechanisms that regulate Catsper1 expression are ill defined. In this work, we describe the identification and characterization of important regulatory elements in the murine Catsper1 gene proximal promoter. Four transcription start sites and three functional Sox-binding sites were identified in the Catsper1 promoter. Interestingly, transcription factors Sox5 and Sox9 caused a significant increase in transactivation of the Catsper1 promoter in heterologous systems, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that both transcription factors interact with the Catsper1 promoter in vivo. These results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms that control Catsper channel expression.

Keywords: Calcium channels; Catsper1; Sox5; Sox9; Transcriptional regulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • Calcium Channels / genetics*
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Binding
  • SOX9 Transcription Factor / physiology*
  • SOXD Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Spermatids / metabolism
  • Spermatocytes / metabolism
  • Testis / cytology
  • Transcription Initiation Site
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Catsper1 protein, mouse
  • SOX9 Transcription Factor
  • SOXD Transcription Factors
  • Sox5 protein, mouse
  • Sox9 protein, mouse