NR5A1/SF-1 Collaborates with Inhibin α and the Androgen Receptor

Abstract

Androgen receptor; Disorders of sex development; Steroidogenic factor 1

Receptor de andrógenos; Trastornos del desarrollo sexual; Factor esteroidogénico 1

Receptor d'andrògens; Trastorns del desenvolupament sexual; Factor esteroidogènic 1

Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) is a nuclear receptor that regulates steroidogenesis and reproductive development. NR5A1/SF-1 variants are associated with a broad spectrum of phenotypes across individuals with disorders of sex development (DSDs). Oligogenic inheritance has been suggested as an explanation. SF-1 interacts with numerous partners. Here, we investigated a constellation of gene variants identified in a 46,XY severely undervirilized individual carrying an ACMG-categorized 'pathogenic' NR5A1/SF-1 variant in comparison to the healthy carrier father. Candidate genes were revealed by whole exome sequencing, and pathogenicity was predicted by different in silico tools. We found variants in NR1H2 and INHA associated with steroidogenesis, sex development, and reproduction. The identified variants were tested in cell models. Novel SF-1 and NR1H2 binding sites in the AR and INHA gene promoters were found. Transactivation studies showed that wild-type NR5A1/SF-1 regulates INHA and AR gene expression, while the NR5A1/SF-1 variant had decreased transcriptional activity. NR1H2 was found to regulate AR gene transcription; however, the NR1H2 variant showed normal activity. This study expands the NR5A1/SF-1 network of interacting partners, while not solving the exact interplay of different variants that might be involved in revealing the observed DSD phenotype. It also illustrates that understanding complex genetics in DSDs is challenging.

This study was supported by a project grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation (320030-197725). I.M.d.L. is supported by a Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant from the Education Department of the Basque Government (Spain) (POS_2020_1_0034).