SOX9: A Genomic View of Tissue Specific Expression and Action

The SOX9 transcription factor controls the differentiation of many cell types among vertebrates. The SOX9 gene locus is large and complex and contains various tissue-specific enhancers. Individual enhancers direct specific expression of SOX9 in chondrocytes, Sertoli cells and cranial neural crest cells. Human SOX9 mutations can lead to either the complete Campomelic Dysplasia syndrome, or isolated clinical features, depending upon whether the mutation occurs in the coding region or in enhancer regions. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation has helped to define SOX9 control of target gene expression at the genome wide level in hair follicle stem cells and in chondrocytes where SOX9 binds at super-enhancers. SOX9 binding proximal to promoters controls basal cell activity whereas cell type specificity is directed from distal enhancers.