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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #148746
Title: GERM CELL NUCLEAR FACTOR

Author
item CHUNG, ARTHUR - BAYLOR COLLEGE MED
item Cooney, Austin

Submitted to: International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/7/2001
Publication Date: 12/1/2001
Citation: Chung, A.C., Cooney, A. 2001. Germ cell nuclear factor. International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. 33(12):1141-1146.

Interpretive Summary: This a review article updating the scientific community on the latest developments with GCNF. GCNF is a steroid receptor like factor that turns genes off. Steroid receptors bind hormones like estrogen and testosterone and turn genes on. GCNF is essential for normal fetal development.

Technical Abstract: Germ Cell Nuclear Factor is an orphan nuclear receptor for which a ligand has yet to be identified. However, we do know that GCNF binds to a novel response element as a homodimer and regulates expression of genes, such as the protamines, through this element. In the absence of a ligand, GCNF is a transcriptional repressor that interacts with co-repressors. During embryonic development, GCNF is expressed between the gastrula and neurula stages. Loss of GCNF causes embryonic lethality, disrupts normal somitogenesis, as well as neural tube and axis formation, suggesting that GCNF is a critical factor for normal embryonic development. In adult vertebrates, GCNF expression is predominantly found in the germ cells of gonads. GCNF expression in germ cells suggests that understanding its function in adults will yield greater insight into the regulation of gametogenesis, leading to new contraceptive targets.