Anti-Müllerian hormone recruits BMPR-IA in immature granulosa cells

PLoS One. 2013 Nov 28;8(11):e81551. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081551. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a member of the TGF-β superfamily secreted by the gonads of both sexes. This hormone is primarily known for its role in the regression of the Müllerian ducts in male fetuses. In females, AMH is expressed in granulosa cells of developing follicles. Like other members of the TGF-β superfamily, AMH transduces its signal through two transmembrane serine/threonine kinase receptors including a well characterized type II receptor, AMHR-II. The complete signalling pathway of AMH involving Smads proteins and the type I receptor is well known in the Müllerian duct and in Sertoli and Leydig cells but not in granulosa cells. In addition, few AMH target genes have been identified in these cells. Finally, while several co-receptors have been reported for members of the TGF-β superfamily, none have been described for AMH. Here, we have shown that none of the Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) co-receptors, Repulsive guidance molecules (RGMs), were essential for AMH signalling. We also demonstrated that the main Smad proteins used by AMH in granulosa cells were Smad 1 and Smad 5. Like for the other AMH target cells, the most important type I receptor for AMH in these cells was BMPR-IA. Finally, we have identified a new AMH target gene, Id3, which could be involved in the effects of AMH on the differentiation of granulosa cells and its other target cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Mullerian Hormone / metabolism*
  • Anti-Mullerian Hormone / pharmacology
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I / deficiency
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I / genetics
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fibrinolysin / metabolism
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Granulosa Cells / cytology*
  • Granulosa Cells / drug effects
  • Granulosa Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • Proteolysis
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Smad1 Protein / metabolism
  • Smad5 Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Smad1 Protein
  • Smad5 Protein
  • Anti-Mullerian Hormone
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I
  • Fibrinolysin

Grants and funding

This work was supported by INSERM, Université Paris-Sud XI and the French Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) (grant under reference [ANR-08-JCJC-0059] to Soazik P. Jamin). Lauriane Sèdes holds a PhD studentship from Université Paris-Sud XI. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.