Chemotactic role of neurotropin 3 in the embryonic testis that facilitates male sex determination

Andrea S Cupp; Mehmet Uzumcu; Michael K Skinner

doi:10.1095/biolreprod.102.012617

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Chemotactic role of neurotropin 3 in the embryonic testis that facilitates male sex determination

Journal article

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Chemotactic role of neurotropin 3 in the embryonic testis that facilitates male sex determination

Andrea S Cupp, Mehmet Uzumcu and Michael K Skinner

Biology of reproduction, Vol.68(6), pp.2033-2037

06/2003

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.102.012617

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https://hdl.handle.net/2376/102272

PMID: 12606390

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Abstract

Receptor, trkC - physiology

Neurotrophin 3 - physiology

RNA, Messenger - biosynthesis

Chemotaxis - physiology

Sex Determination Processes

Testis - embryology

Organ Culture Techniques

Chromatography, Agarose

Testis - cytology

Mesonephros - cytology

RNA, Messenger - genetics

Transcription Factors - genetics

Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Sertoli Cells - physiology

Genes, sry - genetics

Mesonephros - physiology

SOX9 Transcription Factor

High Mobility Group Proteins - genetics

Seminiferous Tubules - embryology

Immunohistochemistry

Pregnancy

The first morphological event after initiation of male sex determination is seminiferous cord formation in the embryonic testis. Cord formation requires migration of pre-peritubular myoid cells from the adjacent mesonephros. The embryonic Sertoli cells are the first testicular cells to differentiate and have been shown to express neurotropin-3 (NT3), which can act on high-affinity trkC receptors expressed on migrating mesonephros cells. NT3 expression is elevated in the embryonic testis during the time of seminiferous cord formation. A trkC receptor tyrophostin inhibitor, AG879, was found to inhibit seminiferous cord formation and mesonephros cell migration. Beads containing NT3 were found to directly promote mesonephros cell migration into the gonad. Beads containing other growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) did not influence cell migration. At male sex determination the SRY gene promotes testis development and the expression of downstream sex differentiation genes such as SOX-9. Inhibition of NT3 actions caused a reduction in the expression of SOX-9. Combined observations suggest that when male sex determination is initiated, the developing Sertoli cells express NT3 as a chemotactic agent for migrating mesonephros cells, which are essential to promote embryonic testis cord formation and influence downstream male sex differentiation.

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Title: Chemotactic role of neurotropin 3 in the embryonic testis that facilitates male sex determination
Creators: Andrea S Cupp - Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-4231, USA
Mehmet Uzumcu
Michael K Skinner
Publication Details: Biology of reproduction, Vol.68(6), pp.2033-2037
Academic Unit: Biological Sciences, School of
Publisher: United States
Identifiers: 99900546666701842
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article