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Presumptive pre‐sertoli cells express genes involved in cell proliferation and cell signalling during a critical window in early testis differentiation
Author(s) -
Cory Aron T.,
Boyer Alexandre,
Pilon Nicolas,
Lussier Jacques G.,
Silversides David W.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/mrd.20722
Subject(s) - biology , testis determining factor , gonadal ridge , sertoli cell , sox9 , population , fgf9 , transcriptome , microbiology and biotechnology , somatic cell , cell type , embryonic stem cell , gene , cell , genetics , gene expression , y chromosome , spermatogenesis , endocrinology , demography , sociology
In mammals, the pre‐Sertoli cell of the male genital ridge is the first cell type to display sex specific differentiation and differential gene expression. The genetic cascade driving the differentiationof pre‐Sertoli cells and ultimately testis formationis beginning to be unravelled, but many questions remain. A better understanding of the transcriptome of pre‐Sertoli cells immediately after sex determination is essential in order to further understand this differentiationprocess. A mouse model expressing Red Fluorescent Protein (RFP) under the control of a hybrid mouse/pig SRY promoter (Hyb SRY p‐RFP) was used to purify cells from embryonic day 12.0 (e12.0) male genital ridges. To compare the transcriptomes of Hyb SRY p‐RFP cell populations versus age matched whole female genital ridges, RNA was extracted and used to generate molecular probes that were hybridized onto Affymetrix Mouse Genome 430 2.0 micro‐arrays. The expression of genes considered markers for pre‐Sertoli cells, including Sox9 , Mis , Dhh and Fgf9 were identified within the Hyb SRY p‐RFP expressing cell population, while markers for germ cells (Oct4, SSEA‐1) and endothelial cells (Ntrk3) were not identified. In contrast, markers for ovarian somatic cell expression, including Fst and Bmp2 , were identified as overexpressed within the ovarian cell population. In a general fashion, genes identified as 2.5‐fold over expressed in Hyb SRY p‐RFP expressing cells coded notably for cell signalling and extra cellular proteins. The expression of Sox10 , Stc2 , Fgf18 , Fgf13 and Wnt6 were further characterized via whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH) on male and female genital ridges between e11.5 and e14.5. Sox10 , Fgf18 , Fgf13 and Stc2 gene expression was detected within the male genital ridges while Wnt6 was found diffusely within both the male and female genital ridges. These data represent the earliest comprehensive microarray expression analysis of purified presumptive pre‐Sertoli cells available to date. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 1491–1504, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.