title: Anti-Müllerian hormone, beta-catenin and Müllerian duct regression.
abstract: The embryo is initially sexually indifferent, and correct sexual development is dependent on gonadal hormone production. Thus, in the male embryo, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), secreted by the Sertoli cells of the testis, induces regression of the Müllerian duct, the anlagen of female reproductive tract. This hormone causes ductal epithelial regression through a paracrine mechanism originating in periductal mesenchyme and the cross-talk between the mesenchymal and epithelial layers accounts for the cranial-to-caudal pattern of Müllerian regression. Here, we review and discuss recent developments concerning the relationship of apoptosis of Müllerian duct to tissue remodeling, mesenchymal-epithelial interactions, and involvement of beta-catenin in AMH signaling in periductal mesenchyme. Determining the role of beta-catenin/LEF-1 signaling is critical for understanding AMH action during Müllerian duct regression.
authors.affiliation: Unité de recherches sur l'Endocrinologie du Développement, INSERM, 32 rue des Carnets, 93140 Clamart, France. francoise.xavier@inserm.ipsc.u-psud.fr
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Xavier
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Allard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009095:Mullerian Ducts / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013735:Testicular Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000502:physiology*; D051176:beta Catenin
chemical_list: C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; C495268:Ctnnb1 protein, rat; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D013735:Testicular Hormones; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051176:beta Catenin; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3