title: DMRT1 is required for Müllerian duct formation in the chicken embryo.
abstract: DMRT1 is a conserved transcription factor with a central role in gonadal sex differentiation. In all vertebrates studied, DMRT1 plays an essential function in testis development and/or maintenance. No studies have reported a role for DMRT1 outside the gonads. Here, we show that DMRT1 is expressed in the paired Müllerian ducts in the chicken embryo, where it is required for duct formation. DMRT1 mRNA and protein are expressed in the early forming Müllerian ridge, and in cells undergoing an epithelial to mesenchyme transition during duct morphogenesis. RNAi-mediated knockdown of DMRT1 in ovo causes a greatly reduced mesenchymal layer, which blocks caudal extension of the duct luminal epithelium. Critical markers of Müllerian duct formation in mammals, Pax2 in the duct epithelium and Wnt4 in the mesenchyme, are conserved in chicken and their expression disrupted in DMRT1 knockdown ducts. We conclude that DMRT1 is required for the early steps of Müllerian duct development. DMRT1 regulates Müllerian ridge and mesenchyme formation and its loss blocks caudal extension of the duct. While DMRT1 plays an important role during testis development and maintenance in many vertebrate species, this is the first report showing a requirement for DMRT1 in Müllerian duct development.
authors: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children׳s Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia.
authors: K L
authors: KL
authors: Ayers
authors: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children׳s Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia.
authors: A D
authors: AD
authors: Cutting
authors: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children׳s Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia.
authors: K N
authors: KN
authors: Roeszler
authors: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children׳s Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia.
authors: A H
authors: AH
authors: Sinclair
authors: Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia. Electronic address: Craig.Smith@monash.edu.
authors: C A
authors: CA
authors: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030161:Avian Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D018274:Electroporation; D005260:Female; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D008297:Male; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000378:metabolism; D009095:Mullerian Ducts / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010057:Oviducts / Q000196:embryology; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D013737:Testis / Q000196:embryology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D030161:Avian Proteins; C110547:DMRT1 protein; D014157:Transcription Factors
keywords: Chicken; DMRT1; Female reproductive tract; Müllerian ducts; Sex development