[HTML][HTML] Sohlh1 is essential for spermatogonial differentiation

D Ballow, ML Meistrich, M Matzuk, A Rajkovic - Developmental biology, 2006 - Elsevier
D Ballow, ML Meistrich, M Matzuk, A Rajkovic
Developmental biology, 2006Elsevier
Spermatogonia are adult germline stem cells that can both self-renew and differentiate into
spermatocytes. Little is known about factors necessary for spermatogonial differentiation. We
identified a novel germ-cell-specific transcription factor that we named Sohlh1
(spermatogenesis and oogenesis specific basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription
factor). In males, Sohlh1 is preferentially expressed in prespermatogonia and Type A
spermatogonia. Loss of Sohlh1 causes infertility by disrupting spermatogonial differentiation …
Spermatogonia are adult germline stem cells that can both self-renew and differentiate into spermatocytes. Little is known about factors necessary for spermatogonial differentiation. We identified a novel germ-cell-specific transcription factor that we named Sohlh1 (spermatogenesis and oogenesis specific basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factor). In males, Sohlh1 is preferentially expressed in prespermatogonia and Type A spermatogonia. Loss of Sohlh1 causes infertility by disrupting spermatogonial differentiation into spermatocytes. Seven-day-old testes without Sohlh1 still express the testis-specific transcription factors Etv5, Taf4b, Zfp148, and Plzf, overexpress a novel Sohlh2 bHLH transcription factor, but lack LIM homeobox gene Lhx8 and show reduced expression of Ngn3. Sohlh1 represents the first testis-specific bHLH transcription factor that is essential for spermatogonial differentiation.
Elsevier