High impact information on Ovol1

• We cloned a mouse gene, movo1 encoding a nuclear transcription factor that is highly similar to its fly counterpart in its zinc-finger sequences [1].
• Additionally, we show that the movo1 promoter is activated by the lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (LEF1)/beta-catenin complex, a transducer of wnt signaling [2].
• Collectively, our findings suggest that movo1 is a developmental target of wnt signaling during hair morphogenesis in mice, and that the wg/wnt-ovo link in epidermal appendage regulatory pathways has been conserved between mice and flies [2].
• Here, we provide biochemical evidence that movo1 encodes a nuclear DNA binding protein (mOvo1a) that binds to DNA sequences similar to those that dOvo binds to, further supporting the notion that mOvo1a and dOvo are genetically and biochemically homologous proteins [2].
• Ovol1 regulates meiotic pachytene progression during spermatogenesis by repressing Id2 expression [3].

Biological context of Ovol1

• Ovol1 encodes a zinc finger transcriptional repressor that is downstream of the LEF1/beta-catenin complex, nuclear effectors of canonical Wnt signaling [4].
• To explore the cellular and molecular mechanism of Ovol1 function, we have examined the mutant testis phenotype during the first wave of spermatogenesis in juvenile mice [3].
• Consistent with the detection of Ovol1 transcripts in pachytene spermatocytes of the meiotic prophase, Ovol1-deficient germ cells were defective in progressing through the pachytene stage [3].

Other interactions of Ovol1

• Genetic analysis suggests a partial functional compensation by Ovol2 for the loss of Ovol1 [4].
• Taken together, our studies demonstrate a role for Ovol1 in regulating pachytene progression of male germ cells, and identify Id2 as a Ovol1 target [3].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of Ovol1

• Using gene targeting, we show that movo1 is required for proper development of both hair and sperm. movo1(-/-) mice are small, produce aberrant hairs, and display hypogenitalism, with a reduced ability to reproduce [1].

References