The role of Steroidogenic Factor 1 in testicular Leydig cells

类固醇生成因子 1 在睾丸 Leydig 细胞中的作用

• 批准号: BB/D005043/1
• 负责人: Amanda Swain
• 金额: $ 32.43万
• 依托单位: Institute of Cancer Research
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2006 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=BB%2FD005043%2F1
• 关键词: role; Steroidogenic; Factor; testicular; Leydig

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.

哺乳动物的男性性发育和功能取决于睾丸的产物。睾丸的leydig细胞产生雄激素，这些雄激素决定了大多数男性二级特征的发展，并支持成人的精子产生。关于调节Leydig细胞分化和功能的因素知之甚少。核激素受体SF1与小鼠和人类中的性腺有关的生殖组织的发展涉及。在这里，我们旨在研究SF1在胚胎和成年小鼠中的Leydig细胞分化和激素产生中的作用。由于该因素在睾丸的不同细胞类型中具有不同的作用，因此我们设计了一种使SF1在Leydig细胞中特别活化的策略，并在这些细胞中识别其组织特异性伴侣。这些研究将使我们能够了解性腺的细胞类型如何区分和形成器官，以及如何在胚胎和成人中调节激素的产生。此外，我们将发现可能与人类性发展和生殖功能的缺陷有关的分子途径。