Canonical Wnt/β-catenin activity and differential epigenetic marks direct sexually dimorphic regulation of <i>Irx3</i> and <i>Irx5</i> in developing mouse gonads.

ABSTRACT: Members of the Iroquois B (IrxB) homeodomain cluster genes, specifically Irx3 and Irx5, are crucial for heart, limb and bone development. Recently, we reported their importance for oocyte and follicle survival within the developing ovary. Irx3 and Irx5 expression begins after sex determination in the ovary but remains absent in the fetal testis. Mutually antagonistic molecular signals ensure ovary versus testis differentiation with canonical Wnt/β-catenin signals paramount for promoting the ovary pathway. Notably, few direct downstream targets have been identified. We report that Wnt/β-catenin signaling directly stimulates Irx3 and Irx5 transcription in the developing ovary. Using in silico analysis of ATAC- and ChIP-Seq databases in conjunc

SUBMITTER: Koth ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7132837 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature