FOXL2는 winged-helix/forkhead(FH) 도메인 전사인자로서 FOXL2 유전자에 돌연변이가 발생할 경우 blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome이라 불리는 BPES 질병이 유발되게 된다. BPES는 상염색체 우성인 유전적 질환이다. BPES type I의 환자는 조기난소부전증(POF)과 안검하수 증상이 함께 나타나는 반면, BPES type II의 경우 안검하수 및 소안검 등 안면기
FOXL2 is a winged-helix/forkhead (FH) domain transcription factor, and mutations in FOXL2 gene are responsible for blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES). BPES is an autosomal dominant genetic disease. BPES type I patients exhibit both premature ovarian failure (POF) and eyelid malformation, while only the eyelid defect is observed in BPES type II. FOXL2-null ovaries showed a blockage of granulosa cell differentiation, suggesting that FOXL2 plays an essential role for proper ovarian folliculogenesis. Previously, we screened for FOXL2-interacting proteins and identified steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) which is known to be required for gonad development and transactivates steroidogenic enzymes including CYP19. In the present study, we demonstrated that FOXL2 transactivates CYP19 and stimulated the transcriptional activation of CYP19 induced by SF-1. In contrast, FOXL2 mutants found in BPES type I and II exhibited compromised abilities to enhance CYP19 induction mediated by SF-1. Thus, this study provides a functional difference between wild-type FOXL2 and its mutants which may aid to understand pathophysiology of BPES elicited by FOXL2 mutations.