Mouse Transcription Factor SOX 3,SOX3 ELI

Transcription factor required during the formation of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis.

May function as a switch in neuronal development.

Keeps neural cells undifferentiated by counteracting the activity of proneural proteins and suppresses neuronal differentiation.

Required also within the pharyngeal epithelia for craniofacial morphogenesis.

Controls a genetic switch in male development.

Is necessary for initiating male sex determination by directing the development of supporting cell precursors (pre-Sertoli cells) as Sertoli rather than granulosa cells.

{ECO:0000269|PubMed:14981518, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17728342, ECO:0000269|PubMed:21183788}.