Testicular dysgenesis without adrenal insufficiency in a 46,XY patient with a heterozygous inactive mutation of steroidogenic factor-1.

Abstract

Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) regulates multiple genes involved in the adrenal and gonadal development and in the biosynthesis of a variety of hormones, including adrenal and gonadal steroids, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), and gonadotropins. We identified a novel SF-1 mutation in a 27-yr-old Japanese patient with a 46,XY karyotype. Sequence analysis was performed for all the seven exons of SF-1, revealing a heterozygous single base pair deletion at exon 2 (18delC) that is predicted to cause a frameshift at the sixth codon and resultant termination at the 74th codon. Functional studies showed that the mutation produced no demonstrable protein and had no transcription activity or dominant negative effect. Clinical features included small dysgenetic testes with vasa deferentia and epididymides, absent uterus, blind-ending vagina, clitoromegaly, and psychosexual disturbance. Endocrine studies showed normal adrenal function (cortisol response to ACTH stimulation, 13.4-->25.3 microg/dl) and primary hypogonadism (testosterone response to hCG stimulation, 0.57-->0.76 ng/ml; gonadotropin responses to GnRH stimulation: LH, 10-->59 mIU/ml; FSH, 36-->69 mIU/ml), and urinary steroid hormone profile analysis indicated grossly normal steroidogenic enzyme activities. The results suggest that SF-1 haploinsufficiency can selectively impair testicular development and permit the biosynthesis of AMH and testosterone in dysgenetic testes and the production of gonadotropins in pituitary gonadotropes.

• Authors: Tomonobu Hasegawa, Maki Fukami, Naoko Sato, Noriyuki Katsumata, Goro Sasaki, Keiko Fukutani, Ken-Ichirou Morohashi, Tsutomu Ogata
• Journal: The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism (J Clin Endocrinol Metab) Vol. 89 Issue 12 Pg. 5930-5 (Dec 2004) ISSN: 0021-972X [Print] United States
• PMID: 15579739 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• DNA-Binding Proteins
• Homeodomain Proteins
• NR5A1 protein, human
• Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
• Steroidogenic Factor 1
• Transcription Factors
• Alanine
• Glycine

Topics

• Adult
• Alanine
• Base Sequence
• Blotting, Western
• DNA Mutational Analysis
• DNA-Binding Proteins (genetics)
• Frameshift Mutation
• Gene Deletion
• Glycine
• Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XY (genetics, pathology)
• Heterozygote
• Homeodomain Proteins
• Humans
• Male
• Mutation
• Pedigree
• Polymorphism, Genetic
• Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
• Steroidogenic Factor 1
• Testis (abnormalities, pathology)
• Transcription Factors (genetics)
• Transcription, Genetic