Role of Orphan Nuclear Receptor DAX-1/NR0B1 in Development, Physiology, and Disease

Figure 3

A model of DAX-1 function during human adrenal development. DAX-1 represses steroidogenic gene expression in definitive zone cells, allowing for their proliferation and differentiation into glomerulosa, fasciculata, and reticularis zones. In the absence of functional DAX-1, abnormally early expression of steroidogenic genes is activated in the definitive zone and its proliferation is downregulated. Under these conditions, adrenal hypoplasia follows the physiological regression of the fetal zone after birth. From [35]. Copyright 2003 Endocrine Society.