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Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Mutagenesis and Analysis of Genetic Mutations in the GC-rich KISS1 Receptor Sequence Identified in Humans with Reproductive Disorders
Published on: September 4, 2011
Direct and indirect consequences on gene expression of a thyroid hormone receptor alpha 1 mutation restricted to
Fabrice Chatonnet1, Gabriel Livera, Betty Fumel
1Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, INRA, CNRS, Cedex, France.
Abstract:
Thyroid hormone is required for the timely transition of Sertoli cells from proliferative to differentiating and maturing. This transition takes place during a critical developmental period in mammals, which in mice is the first post-natal week. In order to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms of this differentiation process, we used Cre/loxP technology to selectively block the function of the thyroid hormone receptor TRα1 in Sertoli cells. We then used RNA-seq to analyze the changes in gene expression induced in the post-natal testis. This differential analysis provides genetic clues to the initial testicular defects resulting from disrupted thyroid hormone signaling, and suggests that Sertoli cells influence germ cells soon after their birth.
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