Hammes A, Guo JK, Lutsch G, Leheste JR, Landrock D, Ziegler U, Gubler MC, Schedl A. Two splice variants of the Wilms' tumor 1 gene have distinct functions during sex determination and nephron formation.
Cell 2001;
106:319-29. [PMID:
11509181 DOI:
10.1016/s0092-8674(01)00453-6]
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Abstract
Alternative splicing of Wt1 results in the insertion or omission of the three amino acids KTS between zinc fingers 3 and 4. In vitro experiments suggest distinct molecular functions for + and -KTS isoforms. We have generated mouse strains in which specific isoforms have been removed. Heterozygous mice with a reduction of +KTS levels develop glomerulosclerosis and represent a model for Frasier syndrome. Homozygous mutants of both strains die after birth due to kidney defects. Strikingly, mice lacking +KTS isoforms show a complete XY sex reversal due to a dramatic reduction of Sry expression levels. Our data demonstrate distinct functions for the two splice variants and place the +KTS variants as important regulators for Sry in the sex determination pathway.
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