Functional analysis ofSox8andSox9during sex determination in the mouse

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.01087
• Publication Date: 2004-04-06T00:23:33Z
• Authors: Marie-Christine C...; Akio Kobayashi; Valerie I. P. Vidal; Susanne Lützkendorf; Henk J. G. van de...; Michael Wegner; Dirk G. de Rooij; Richard R. Behringer; Andreas Schedl
• Keywords: Testis determining factor; SOX9; Follistatin; Sex reversal; Sexual Differentiation; FGF9

Sex determination in mammals directs an initially bipotential gonad to differentiate into either a testis or ovary. This decision is triggered by the expression of sex-determining gene Sry, which leads activation male-specific genes including HMG-box containing Sox9. From transgenic studies mice it clear that Sox9 sufficient induce formation. However, there no direct confirmation for essential role determination. The presented here are first experimental proof mediating switch from ovarian pathway testicular pathway. Using conditional targeting, we show homozygous deletion XY gonads interferes with sex cord development and markers Mis P450scc, female-specific Bmp2 follistatin. Moreover, using tissue specific knock-out approach, involved Sertoli cell differentiation, Sox8, inactivation Sry. Finally, double analyses suggest Sox8 reinforces function differentiation mice.