Steroidogenic factor 1

The steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1) protein controls sexual development in the embryo and at puberty.

SF1 is a member of the nuclear receptor family of intracellular transcription factors and is encoded by the NR5A1 gene (nuclear receptor subfamily 5, group A, member 1).

Function

SF-1 is a critical regulator of reproduction, regulating the transcription of key genes involved in sexual development and reproduction, most notably StAR and P450_SCC. It can form a transcriptional complex with TDF to up-regulate transcription of the Sox9 gene. Its targets include genes at every level of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, as well as many genes involved in gonadal and adrenal steroidogenesis.

Clinical significance

Mutations in NR5A1 can produce intersex genitals, absence of puberty, and infertility. It is one cause of arrest of ovarian function in women <40 years of age, which occurs in 1% of all women.

Missense, in-frame and frameshift mutations of NR5A1 have been found in families with 46,XY disorders of sex development, 46,XX gonadal dysgenesis and 46,XX primary ovarian insufficiency. 46,XY individuals may have ambiguous or female genitals. Individuals of either karyotype may not enter puberty, although expression of the phenotype, penetrance, fertility, and modes of inheritance can vary. Some mutations are dominant, some are recessive.

Interactions

Steroidogenic factor 1 has been shown to interact with:

• Beta-catenin
• DAX1
• NRIP1
• SOX9
• TRERF1.

External links

• GeneReviews/NCBI/NIH/UW entry on 46,XY Disorder of Sex Development and 46,XY Complete Gonadal Dysgenesis
• OMIM entries on 46,XY Disorder of Sex Development and 46,XY Complete Gonadal Dysgenesis
• steroidogenic factor 1 at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)