Cloning and expression of the chick anti-Muellerian hormone gene

• Published in: The Journal of biological chemistry 1996-01, Vol.271 (9), p.4798-4804
• Main Authors: Carre Eusebe, D, Di Clemente, N, Rey, R, Pieau, C, Vigier, B, Josso, N, Picard, J-Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0021-9258

Muellerian duct regression in male embryos is due to early production by fetal Sertoli cells of anti-Muellerian hormone, a homodimeric protein of the transforming growth factor- beta superfamily. In mammals, both female Muellerian ducts develop into the uterus and Fallopian tubes, whereas in birds, the right oviduct does not develop. To gain insight into sex differentiation in birds, we have cloned the cDNA for chick anti-Muellerian hormone using antibodies raised against the partially purified protein. Expression cloning was required because of the lack of cross-hybridization between mammalian and chick anti-Muellerian hormone DNA. The chick DNA and protein are significantly longer, due to insertions that abolish nucleotide homology, except in the cDNA coding for the C-terminal, bioactive part of the protein. Nevertheless, the general structure of the gene, sequenced from the transcription initiation to the polyadenylation site, and the main features of the protein are conserved between the chick and mammals. The chick anti-Muellerian hormone gene is expressed at high levels in Sertoli cells of the embryonic testes and in lower amounts in both ovaries, higher levels being reached on the left side after 10 days of incubation.