Table 3 Sex-biased TRs and their pituitary-related phenotypes and functions
From: Postnatal developmental trajectory of sex-biased gene expression in the mouse pituitary gland
Gene name | Gene description | Known pituitary functions | Mutant pituitary phenotype | References | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Male-biased | Cebpd | CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP), delta | Suppresses prolactin expression | NA | [98] |
Gata2 | GATA binding protein 2 | Specification/expansion of thyrotropes; maintenance of hormone production in gonadotropes and thyrotropes | Pituitary specific knockout: decreased thyrotropes population at birth; transient developmental delay in males; lower level of FSH and TSH in adults | [93] | |
Gli1 | GLI-Kruppel family member GLI1 | Involved in cell proliferation, hormone release, CRH signaling transduction in adult pituitary | NA | ||
Hif3a | Hypoxia inducible factor 3, alpha subunit | Downregulated in gonadotrope nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas | NA | [101] | |
Zfp385a | Zinc finger protein 385A | NA | NA | ||
Female-biased | Ar | Androgen receptor | Regulates LH and FSH expression and secretion; maintains the negative feedback system of glucocorticoid production | Pituitary specific knockout: lower FSH serum levels and reduced LH surge in female mice; full knockout: increased proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and decreased glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression | |
Creb3l1 | cAMP responsive element binding protein 3-like 1 | Regulates the expression of Pcsk1 in corticotroph cell line AtT20; Regulates the expression of transport factors and induces Golgi complex expansion in response to stimuli in secretory cells | NA | ||
Csrnp3 | Cysteine-serine-rich nuclear protein 3 | NA | NA | ||
Dach2 | Dachshund family transcription factor 2 | NA | NA | ||
Dmrta1 | doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor like family A1 | NA | NA | ||
Id1-3 | Inhibitor of DNA binding 1–3 | Induced and likely modulates gene expression in melanotropes under constant stress | NA | [105] | |
Jazf1 | JAZF zinc finger 1 | NA | NA | ||
Lcorl | ligand dependent nuclear receptor corepressor-like | NA | NA | ||
Msc | Musculin | NA | NA | ||
Neurod4 | Neurogenic differentiation 4 | Required for somatotrope differentiation | Full knockout: decreased somatotropes, minimal expression of GHRHR | [106] | |
Nhlh2 | Nescient helix loop helix 2 | Plays a role in regulation of gonadotropins and GnRH receptor expression | Full knockout: impaired pubertal development in female mice | [107] | |
Pgr | Progesterone receptor | Likely plays a role in regulating LH surge | NA | ||
Pou2f2 | POU domain, class 2, transcription factor 2 | NA | NA | ||
Stat5a | Signal transducer and activator of transcription 5A | NA | NA |