Rhox:: A new homeobox gene cluster
Rhox:: A new homeobox gene cluster
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DOI：
10.1016/j.cell.2004.12.022
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发表时间：
2005-02-11
期刊：
影响因子：
64.5
通讯作者：
Wilkinson, MF
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
MacLean, JA;Chen, MGA;Wilkinson, MF
同源异型盒基因编码的转录因子以其调节胚胎发生的能力而闻名。在这里，我们报告的发现，一个集群的12个相关的同源异型盒基因的X染色体上表达的男性和女性的生殖组织在成年小鼠。X染色体上的这些生殖同源框（Rhox）基因以细胞类型特异性的方式表达;有几个是睾丸调控的，它们在出生后睾丸发育过程中的表达模式与它们的染色体位置相对应。大多数Rhox基因在支持细胞中表达，支持细胞是与发育中的雄性生殖细胞直接接触的滋养细胞，这表明它们调节对生殖细胞发育至关重要的体细胞基因产物的表达。为了支持这一点，Rhox 5的靶向破坏增加了雄性生殖细胞凋亡，减少了精子产生，精子活力和生育力。这个同源异型盒基因家族的鉴定为研究共线基因调控和生殖的转录调控提供了机会。
Homeobox genes encode transcription factors notable for their ability to regulate embryogenesis. Here, we report the discovery of a cluster of 12 related homeobox genes on the X chromosome expressed in male and female reproductive tissues in adult mice. These reproductive homeobox on the X chromosome (Rhox) genes are expressed in a cell type-specific manner; several are hormonally regulated, and their expression pattern during postnatal testis development corresponds to their chromosomal position. Most of the Rhox genes are expressed in Sertoli cells, the nurse cells in direct contact with developing male germ cells, suggesting that they regulate the expression of somatic-cell gene products critical for germ cell development. In support of this, targeted disruption of Rhox5 increased male germ cell apoptosis and reduced sperm production, sperm motility, and fertility. Identification of this family of homeobox genes provides an opportunity to study colinear gene regulation and the transcriptional control of reproduction.