Endothelial and steroidogenic cell migration are regulated by WNT4 in the developing mammalian gonad

Author:

Jeays-Ward Katherine1,Hoyle Christine1,Brennan Jennifer2,Dandonneau Mathieu1,Alldus Graham1,Capel Blanche2,Swain Amanda1

Affiliation:

1. Section of Gene Function and Regulation, Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK

2. Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA

Abstract

The signalling molecule WNT4 has been associated with sex reversal phenotypes in mammals. Here we show that the role of WNT4 in gonad development is to pattern the sex-specific vasculature and to regulate steroidogenic cell recruitment. Vascular formation and steroid production in the mammalian gonad occur in a sex-specific manner. During testis development, endothelial cells migrate from the mesonephros into the gonad to form a coelomic blood vessel. Leydig cells differentiate and produce steroid hormones a day later. Neither of these events occurs in the XX gonad. We show that WNT4 represses mesonephric endothelial and steroidogenic cell migration in the XX gonad,preventing the formation of a male-specific coelomic blood vessel and the production of steroids. In the XY gonad, Wnt4 expression is downregulated after sex determination. Transgenic misexpression of Wnt4 in the embryonic testis did not inhibit coelomic vessel formation but vascular pattern was affected. Leydig cell differentiation was not affected in these transgenic animals and our data implies that Wnt4 does not regulate steroidogenic cell differentiation but represses the migration of steroidogenic adrenal precursors into the gonad. These studies provide a model for understanding how the same signalling molecule can act on two different cell types to coordinate sex development.

Publisher

The Company of Biologists

Subject

Developmental Biology,Molecular Biology

Reference32 articles.

1. Allard, S., Adin, P., Gouedard, L., di Clemente, N., Josso, N.,Orgebin- Crist, M. C., Picard, J. Y. and Xavier, F.(2000). Molecular mechanisms of hormone-mediated Müllerian duct regression: involvement of beta-catenin. Development127,3349-3360.

2. Brennan, J., Karl, J. and Capel, B. (2002). Divergent vascular mechanisms downstream of Sry establish the arterial system in the XY gonad. Dev. Biol.244,418-428.

3. Brennan, J., Tilmann, C., Capel, B., Brennan, J., Karl, J. and Capel, B. (2003). Pdgfr-α mediates testis cord organization and fetal Leydig cell development in the XY gonad. Genes Dev.17,800-810.

4. Buehr, M., Gu, S. and McLaren, A. (1993). Mesonephric contribution to testis differentiation in the fetal mouse. Development117,273-281.

5. Capel, B., Albrecht, K. H., Washburn, L. L. and Eicher, E. M. (1999). Migration of mesonephric cells into the mammalian gonad depends on Sry. Mech. Dev.84,127-131.

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3