Luo X, Ikeda Y, Parker KL:
A cell-specific nuclear receptor is essential for adrenal and gonadal development and sexual differentiation.
Cell 1994 May 20;77(4):481-90

ABSTRACT
Studies in adrenocortical cells have implicated the orphan nuclear receptor SF-1 in the gene regulation of the steroid hydroxylases. We used targeted disruption of the Ftz-F1 gene, which encodes SF-1, to examine its role in intact mice. Despite normal survival in utero, all Ftz-F1 null animals died by postnatal day 8; these animals lacked adrenal glands and gonads and were severely deficient in corticosterone, supporting adrenocortical insufficiency as the probable cause of death. Male and female Ftz-F1 null mice had female internal genitalia, despite complete gonadal agenesis. These studies establish that the Ftz-F1 gene is essential for sexual differentiation and formation of the primary steroidogenic tissues.

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