Germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF) is an orphan member of the nuclear receptor gene superfamily that influences neurogenesis and germ cell development. GCNF can homodimerize and bind DNA. GCNF regulates paracrine interaction between the oocyte and somatic cells by regulating the expression of BMP-15 and GDF-9, to affect female fertility. GCNF is present in spermatocytes and round spermatids of adult male mouse testis; northern blot and ribonuclease protection assays have shown GCNF is predominant in the testis. The gene expresses three alternatively spliced transcript variants.
