Analysis of SOX2 expression in developing human testis and germ cell neoplasia

TY - JOUR

T1 - Analysis of SOX2 expression in developing human testis and germ cell neoplasia

AU - Sonne, Si Brask

AU - Perrett, Rebecca M.

AU - Nielsen, John Erik

AU - Baxter, Melissa A.

AU - Kristensen, David Møbjerg

AU - Leffers, Henrik

AU - Hanley, Neil A.

AU - Rajpert-De-Meyts, Ewa

N1 - Key words: carcinoma in situ (CIS), intratubular germ cell neoplasia (ITGCN), testicular germ cell tumour (TGCT), Sertoli cell, pluripotency

PY - 2010

Y1 - 2010

N2 - The transcriptional regulators of pluripotency, POU5F1 (OCT4), NANOG and SOX2, are highly expressed in embryonal carcinoma (EC). In contrast to OCT4 and NANOG, SOX2 has not been demonstrated in the early human germ cell lineage or carcinoma in situ (CIS), the precursor for testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs). Here, we have analysed SOX2 expression in CIS and overt TGCTs, as well as normal second and third trimester fetal, prepubertal and adult testes by in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry using three different antibodies. In contrast to earlier studies, we detected SOX2 mRNA in most CIS cells. We also detected speckled nuclear SOX2 immunoreactivity in CIS cells with one primary antibody, which was not apparent with other primary antibodies. The results demonstrate SOX2 gene expression in CIS for the first time and raise the possibility of post-transcriptional regulation, most likely sumoylation as a mechanism for limiting SOX2 action in these cells.

AB - The transcriptional regulators of pluripotency, POU5F1 (OCT4), NANOG and SOX2, are highly expressed in embryonal carcinoma (EC). In contrast to OCT4 and NANOG, SOX2 has not been demonstrated in the early human germ cell lineage or carcinoma in situ (CIS), the precursor for testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs). Here, we have analysed SOX2 expression in CIS and overt TGCTs, as well as normal second and third trimester fetal, prepubertal and adult testes by in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry using three different antibodies. In contrast to earlier studies, we detected SOX2 mRNA in most CIS cells. We also detected speckled nuclear SOX2 immunoreactivity in CIS cells with one primary antibody, which was not apparent with other primary antibodies. The results demonstrate SOX2 gene expression in CIS for the first time and raise the possibility of post-transcriptional regulation, most likely sumoylation as a mechanism for limiting SOX2 action in these cells.

U2 - 10.1387/ijdb.082668ss

DO - 10.1387/ijdb.082668ss

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 19876845

SN - 0214-6282

VL - 54

SP - 755

EP - 760

JO - International Journal of Developmental Biology

JF - International Journal of Developmental Biology

IS - 4

ER -