title: WNT4 signaling in female gonadal development.
abstract: WNT4 signaling pathways represent an important step in the multi-faceted process of mammalian gonadal differentiation and the development of internal genitalia. WNT4 protein controls the cytoplasmatic stability of specific transcriptional coactivator beta catenin during both embriogenesis and adult homeostasis. The biological significance of WNT4 consists in determining the final female reproductive system, inhibiting Wolff ducts' differentiation, male steroidogenesis and vascular cell migration. An overview of WNT4 cellular mechanisms is given in order to understand its critical role in the genesis of various human diseases such as congenital malformations and gynecological disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The final discussion focusses on several possible therapeutic uses of Wnt4 both during pregnancy in order to correct the genetic loss of function of the protein and during adulthood in order to normalize fertility in PCOS-affected females planning pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology- University of Bari, piazza G. Cesare, 2- 70124 Bari, Italy. pellegrino.miriam@gmail.com
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pellegrino
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maiorino
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schonauer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D046468:Sexual Development; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D060528:Wnt4 Protein; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; C555581:WNT4 protein, human; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D060528:Wnt4 Protein; D051176:beta Catenin