| First Author | Terakawa J | Year | 2020 |
| Journal | Cell Death Differ | Volume | 27 |
| Issue | 12 | Pages | 3307-3320 |
| PubMed ID | 32572167 | Mgi Jnum | J:314885 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:6718372 | Doi | 10.1038/s41418-020-0579-z |
| Citation | Terakawa J, et al. (2020) SIX1 cooperates with RUNX1 and SMAD4 in cell fate commitment of Mullerian duct epithelium. Cell Death Differ 27(12):3307-3320 |
| abstractText | During female mammal reproductive tract development, epithelial cells of the lower Mullerian duct are committed to become stratified squamous epithelium of the vagina and ectocervix, when the expression of DeltaNp63 transcription factor is induced by mesenchymal cells. The absence of DeltaNp63 expression leads to adenosis, the putative precursor of vaginal adenocarcinoma. Our previous studies with genetically engineered mouse models have established that fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/SMAD, and activin A/runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) signaling pathways are independently required for DeltaNp63 expression in Mullerian duct epithelium (MDE). Here, we report that sine oculis homeobox homolog 1 (SIX1) plays a critical role in the activation of DeltaNp63 locus in MDE as a downstream transcription factor of mesenchymal signals. In the developing mouse reproductive tract, SIX1 expression was restricted to MDE within the future cervix and vagina. SIX1 expression was totally absent in SMAD4 null MDE and was reduced in RUNX1 null and FGFR2 null MDE, indicating that SIX1 is under the control of vaginal mesenchymal factors: BMP4, activin A and FGF7/10. Furthermore, Six1, Runx1, and Smad4 gene-dose-dependently activated DeltaNp63 expression in MDE within the vaginal fornix. Using a mouse model of diethylstilbestrol (DES)-associated vaginal adenosis, we found DES action through epithelial estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) inhibits activation of DeltaNp63 locus in MDE by transcriptionally repressing SIX1 and RUNX1 in the vaginal fornix. |
