Factor In the Germline Alpha (FIGLa)

The mouse basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Figla is required for normal folliculogenesis. By searching sequence databases using mouse Figla as probe, Huntriss et al. (2002) identified human FIGLA. The predicted FIGLA protein contains 186 amino acids and shares 68% identity with mouse Figla and 25% identity with a putative medaka homolog. The basic helix-loop-helix region of FIGLA shares 96% and 57% identity with those of mouse and medaka Figla, respectively. RT-PCR showed expression of FIGLA in all ovarian follicular stages and in mature oocytes, with less frequent expression in preimplantation embryos. RT-PCR of multiple tissue samples detected FIGLA expression only in primordial follicles.Huntriss et al. (2002) determined that the FIGLA gene contains 4 exons and spans 13.3 kb.