Role of type I receptors for anti-Müllerian hormone in the SMAT-1 Sertoli cell line

Oncogene. 2005 Jul 21;24(31):4984-92. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1208686.

Abstract

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a member of the transforming growth factor-beta family responsible for regression of Müllerian ducts during male sexual differentiation and for regulation of gonadal steroidogenesis. AMH is also a gonadal tumor suppressor which mediates its effects through a specific type II receptor and the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-specific Smad proteins, suggesting that AMH and BMPs could also share type I receptors, namely activin-like kinases (ALKs)2, 3 or 6. However, attempts to identify a unique AMH type I receptor among them were unsuccessful. Here, using kinase-deficient type I receptors and small interfering RNA technology, we demonstrate that, in an AMH Sertoli target cell line, ALK3 mediates AMH effects on both Smad1 activation and P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme. In addition, transfecting a combination of normal and kinase-deficient receptors, we show that ALK2 can compensate for the absence of ALK3 and probably acts in synergy with ALK3 at high concentrations of AMH to activate Smad1, whereas ALK6 has a competitive inhibitory effect. These results are a first step in understanding how AMH transduces its effects in immature Sertoli cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I
  • CHO Cells
  • Cell Line
  • Cricetinae
  • DNA Primers
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Receptors, Growth Factor / genetics*
  • Receptors, Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Receptors, Peptide / physiology*
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Sertoli Cells / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, Growth Factor
  • Receptors, Peptide
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • anti-Mullerian hormone receptor
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • BMPR1B protein, human
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I