The role of Steroidogenic Factor 1 in testicular Leydig cells

哺乳动物雄性的性发育和功能依赖于睾丸的产物。睾丸的间质细胞产生雄激素，雄激素决定大多数男性次要特征的发育，并支持成年男性的精子生产。对调节间质细胞分化和功能的因素所知甚少。核激素受体SF1在小鼠和人的生殖组织包括性腺的发育中都有作用。本研究旨在研究SF1在胚胎和成年小鼠间质细胞分化和激素产生中的作用。由于该因子在睾丸的不同细胞类型中发挥着不同的作用，我们设计了一种策略，可以在睾丸间质细胞中特异性地灭活SF1，并在这些细胞中识别其组织特异性伴侣。这些研究将使我们了解性腺的细胞类型如何分化并形成一个器官，以及在胚胎和成人中如何调节激素的产生。此外，我们将发现可能与人类性发育和生殖功能缺陷有关的分子途径。

Male sexual development and function in mammals is dependent on the products of the testis. The Leydig cells of the testis produce androgens that determine the development of most male secondary characteristics and support sperm production in the adult. Little is known about the factors that regulate Leydig cell differentiation and function. The nuclear hormone receptor SF1 has been implicated in the development of reproductive tissues including the gonad in both mouse and man. Here we aim to study the role of SF1 in Leydig cell differentiation and hormone production in the embryo and adult mouse. As this factor has various roles in the different cell types of the testis, we have devised a strategy to inactivate SF1 specifically within Leydig cells and to identify its tissue specific partner in these cells. These studies will allow us to understand how the cell types of the gonad differentiate and form an organ and how hormone production is regulated in the embryo and adult. In addition, we will uncover molecular pathways that might be implicated in deficiencies of sexual development and reproductive function in humans.