The SRY and SOX proteins share a DNA-binding domain known as the HMG box, defined by a 79-amino acid
region. All SOX proteins have a single HMG box and bind linear DNA in a sequence-specific manner, resulting in the bending
of DNA through large angles. Bending causes the DNA helix to open for some distance, which may affect binding and
interactions of other transcription factors.
General function
Nucleic acid binding, DNA binding, Transcription factor
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Cellular localization
Nuclear
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Ovarian function
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Expression regulated by
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Ovarian localization
Oocyte
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Taniguchi K, et al 1999 reported the isolation and characterization of a mouse SRY-related cDNA,
mSox7.
The mSox7 gene encodes 380 amino acids containing an SRY-type HMG
box. Genomic Southern analysis suggested that the mSox7 gene was a single-copy
gene. Tissue specific expression of mSox7 was investigated by Northern analysis. The
expression was restricted to the ovary and heart, and the size of the transcripts was
estimated to be 3.6 knt. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay indicated that recombinant
mSox7 polypeptide was capable of binding to a nucleotide sequence, AACAAT.
Immunohistochemical study revealed that mSox7 protein was localized in oocytes in
the mouse ovary.
Follicle stages
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Shiozawa M, et al reported the cloning and characterization of Xenopus laevis xSox7 cDNA.
They have isolated and sequenced
a cDNA encoding a novel Sox protein from Xenopus laevis ovary. This cDNA
contains an open reading frame (ORF) coding for 362 amino acids, which
encompasses an HMG box and exhibits a strong (90%) identity to that of mouse Sox7;
the cDNA was named xSox7 in this study. Northern analysis revealed that the xSox7
mRNA was 2.0 kb in length. Various adult frog tissues were tested by reverse
transcription/polymerase chain reaction for xSox7 mRNA, and the results showed that
xSox7 is expressed in a wide range of tissues.