Osterix functions downstream of anti-Mullerian hormone signaling to regulate Mullerian duct regression

The goal of this study was to identify potential AMH-induced genes and regulatory networks controlling regression by RNA-Seq transcriptome analysis of differences in Mullerian Duct mesenchyme between males (AMH signaling on) and females (AMH signaling off) in purified fetal Mullerian Duct mesenchymal cells. This analysis found 82 genes up-regulated in males during MD regression and identified Osterix (Osx)/Sp7, a key transcriptional regulator of osteoblast differentiation and bone formation, as a novel downstream effector of AMH signaling during MD regression. Mullerian Duct mesenchymal cells mRNA profiles from 2-7 embryonic day 14.5 embryos were generated by deep sequencing, in triplicate, using Illumina HiSeq 2000.本研究旨在通过对纯化的胎儿缪勒管(Mullerian Duct)间充质细胞中，雄性个体(激活抗缪勒管激素(AMH)信号通路)与雌性个体(关闭AMH信号通路)的缪勒管间充质差异开展RNA测序(RNA-Seq)转录组分析，筛选潜在的AMH诱导基因以及调控缪勒管退化的调控网络。本分析共鉴定出82个在缪勒管退化过程中雄性个体内上调表达的基因，并发现成骨细胞分化与骨形成的关键转录调控因子Osterix (Osx)/Sp7是AMH信号通路在缪勒管退化过程中的新型下游效应因子。本研究采用Illumina HiSeq 2000平台，通过三次生物学重复的深度测序，获取了2~7枚发育至第14.5天的胚胎的缪勒管间充质细胞的mRNA表达谱。