Transduction pathway of anti-M�llerian hormone, a sex-specific member of the TGF-β family

N Josso, N di Clemente�- Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2003 - cell.com
N Josso, N di Clemente
Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2003cell.com
Anti-M�llerian hormone (AMH), also called M�llerian inhibiting substance, is a member of
the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family that represses the development and function
of reproductive organs. Not for nothing did Professor Alfred Jost, who first discovered its
existence, christen it 'hormone inhibitrice'! Anti-M�llerian hormone is thought to exert its
effects through two membrane-bound serine/threonine kinase receptors, type 2 and type 1.
Upon ligand binding, these drive receptor-specific cytoplasmic substrates, the Smad�…
Abstract
Anti-M�llerian hormone (AMH), also called M�llerian inhibiting substance, is a member of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family that represses the development and function of reproductive organs. Not for nothing did Professor Alfred Jost, who first discovered its existence, christen it ‘hormone inhibitrice'! Anti-M�llerian hormone is thought to exert its effects through two membrane-bound serine/threonine kinase receptors, type 2 and type 1. Upon ligand binding, these drive receptor-specific cytoplasmic substrates, the Smad molecules, into the nucleus where they act as transcription factors. A type 2 receptor specific for AMH was cloned through its homology with receptors of TGF-β family members; the identity of the type 1 receptor(s) is controversial. Three type 1 receptors for bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are possible candidates, each, not surprisingly, activating BMP-specific Smad molecules, Smads 1, 5 and 8. Each receptor could be involved, depending on the cellular context. To date, AMH signaling has been explored through BMP-specific genes, because a reporter gene related to a physiological AMH function and upregulated by the hormone has not yet been tested in a cell line strongly expressing the AMH receptor(s).
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