Müllerian-Inhibiting Substance: Critical Roles in Sexual Differentiation
1994; Elsevier BV; Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/b978-0-12-728960-1.50023-9
AutoresMichael L. Gustafson, Patricia K. Donahoe,
Tópico(s)Ovarian function and disorders
ResumoThis chapter focuses on the molecular approaches and tools that have been used to advance the understanding of Müllerian-inhibiting substance (MIS) from a "Müllerian inhibitor". Production of rhMIS for biochemical analysis has revealed similarities to the TGF-β family of growth modulators, including bioactivity of its C-terminal domain. Study of the activin and TGF-β receptors is providing new insight into possible mechanisms of MIS action. The sexually dimorphic expression of MIS has been characterized and correlated with postulated in vivo functions in the fetus and adult. Such biological roles for MIS include: primary gonadal differentiation and involution of the female reproductive ducts during normal male sexual development, regulation of germ cell meiosis, and modulation of fetal lung maturation and surfactant production in utero. The control of MIS secretion during sexual differentiation, postnatal development, puberty, and adulthood remains an area of intensive investigation; SRY, gonadotropins, steroids, other unidentified factors, and site-specific proteolytic enzymes play a role in this exquisite regulation.
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