Expression of a transcription factor, SOX9, in Sertoli-stromal cell tumors of the ovary.

Two cases of ovarian Sertoli-stromal cell tumor were examined for expression of a transcription factor, SOX9, which plays an essential role in Sertoli cell differentiation, downstream of Sry, as in the testis. By reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, SOX9 mRNA was expressed in both tumors, despite the absence of Sry. These findings suggest that SOX9 expression probably plays some role in Sry-independent testicular differentiation in ovarian Sertoli-stromal cell tumors.