title: A novel member of the transmembrane serine/threonine kinase receptor family is specifically expressed in the gonads and in mesenchymal cells adjacent to the müllerian duct.
abstract: The activin and TGF-beta type II receptors are members of a separate subfamily of transmembrane receptors with intrinsic protein kinase activity, which also includes the recently cloned TGF-beta type I receptor. We have isolated and characterized a cDNA clone (C14) encoding a new member of this subfamily. The domain structure of the C14-encoded protein corresponds with the structure of the other known transmembrane serine/threonine kinase receptors. It also contains the two inserts in the kinase domain that are characteristic for this subfamily. Using in situ hybridization, C14 mRNA was detected in the mesenchymal cells located adjacent to the müllerian ducts of males and females at day 15 (E15) of embryonic development. Marked C14 mRNA expression was also detected in the female gonads. In female E16 embryos, the C14 mRNA expression pattern remained similar to that in E15 embryos. However, in male E16 embryos C14 mRNA was detected in a circular area that includes the degenerating müllerian duct. The expression of C14 mRNA was also studied using RNase protection assays. At E15 and E16, C14 mRNA is expressed in the female as well as in the male urogenital ridge. However, at E19, a high C14 mRNA level in the female urogenital ridge contrasts with a lack of C14 mRNA in the male urogenital ridge. This correlates with the almost complete degeneration of the müllerian ducts in male embryos at E19. C14 mRNA expression was also detected in embryonic testes at E15, E16 and E19 using RNase protection assays, but at much lower levels than those found in the developing ovaries.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Baarends
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: van Helmond
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Post
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: van der Schoot
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hoogerbrugge
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: de Winter
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Uilenbroek
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Karels
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Wilming
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Meijers
mesh_terms: D029404:Activin Receptors; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D006066:Gonads / Q000196:embryology*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009095:Mullerian Ducts / Q000502:physiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D000077294:Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000378:metabolism; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics; D018000:Receptors, Peptide / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D013737:Testis / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011962:Receptors, FSH; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D018000:Receptors, Peptide; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; C084621:anti-Mullerian hormone receptor; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D029404:Activin Receptors; D000077294:Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II