NCBI Summary:
The protein encoded by this gene contains a RING finger motif and acts as a transcription regulator. This protein has been shown to interact with, and inhibit the activity of, TRPS1, a transcription suppressor of GATA-mediated transcription. Transcription repressor ZNF278/PATZ is found to interact with this protein, and thus reduce the enhancement of androgen receptor-dependent transcription mediated by this protein. Studies of the mouse and rat counterparts suggested a role of this protein in spermatogenesis.
General function
DNA binding, Transcription factor
Comment
Cellular localization
Nuclear
Comment
Ovarian function
Follicle development, Germ cell development
Comment
Small nuclear RING finger protein (SNURF/RNF4) is a steroid receptor coregulator that is down-regulated in testicular germ cell cancer. Hirvonen-Santti SJ, et al have examined SNURF expression during murine fetal gonad development and postnatal ovarian folliculogenesis by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining. SNURF mRNA was detectable in gonads of both sexes from E10.5 dpc onwards. SNURF protein localized to gonocytes and somatic Leydig and Sertoli cells of fetal testis and in oogonia and supporting cells of fetal ovary. In murine postnatal ovary, SNURF mRNA and protein were expressed throughout folliculogenesis, peaking in the oocytes of preantral follicles. Lower amounts of SNURF mRNA and protein were also present in granulosa cells of secondary, antral, and preovulatory follicles and in luteal glands. Exposure of immature female mice and rats to PMSG and hCG did not change dramatically SNURF mRNA levels in ovary. SNURF mRNA expression was increased in ovaries of immature mice treated with diethylstilbestrol, an effect that was blocked by the pure antiestrogen ICI 182,780. SNURF protein was constitutively expressed in oocytes of hypophysectomized rats, and its content was augmented by estradiol in granulosa cells. In granulosa cell culture, SNURF mRNA accumulation was transiently increased by treatment with the LH agonists PMA and forskolin at 4 h after treatment and at 48 h in differentiated cells expressing markers of the preovulatory phenotype. These results suggest a role for SNURF in fetal germ cell development as well as in oocyte and granulosa cell maturation in an estrogen- and gonadotropin-regulated fashion.
Expression regulated by
Steroids
Comment
Ovarian localization
Oocyte, Granulosa, Luteal cells
Comment
Follicle stages
Secondary, Antral, Preovulatory, Corpus luteum
Comment
Phenotypes
Mutations
1 mutations
Species: sow
Mutation name: None
type: naturally occurring fertility: fertile Comment: Identification of polymorphism and association analysis with reproductive traits in the porcine RNF4 gene. Niu BY et al. The ring finger protein 4 gene (RNF4), which might play a role in fetal germ cell development as well as in oocyte and granulosa cell maturation, was one of the potential candidate genes for reproductive traits. In the present work, we isolated the complete coding sequence of porcine RNF4 gene, identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP: T/C) in intron5, and developed a PCR-SacII-RFLP genotyping assay. Association of this SNP with reproductive traits was assessed in three populations with diverse genetic backgrounds. One was Chinese Qingping sows. Another was consisted of crossbred sows derived from Landrace, Large White, Chinese Tongcheng and/or Chinese Meishan (Line DIV). The third is Large WhitexMeishan (LWxM) F(2) slaughtered population. Statistical analysis demonstrated that, in the first parity, the difference between RNF4 genotypes and reproductive traits of both Qingping and Line DIV sows was not significant. In the second and subsequent litters, CC animals in Qingping population had more piglets born (+1.74 piglets) and piglets born alive (+2.02 piglets) than sows with the TT genotype (P<0.05). Line DIV sows inheriting the CC genotype had additional 0.69 piglets born compared to the TC animals (P<0.05) in second and subsequent litters. No significant difference was observed between genotypes and reproductive tracts components in F(2) animals. In addition, we found RNF4 gene has a significant additive effect on both piglet born and piglet born alive in Qingping animals (P<0.05). Results here suggested that the RNF4 SNP was significantly associated with litter size in two populations and could be useful in selection for increasing litter size in pigs. Further studies were needed to confirm these preliminary researches.