Follistatin operates downstream of Wnt4 in mammalian ovary organogenesis.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Wnt4(-/-) XX gonads display features normally associated with testis differentiation, suggesting that WNT4 actively represses elements of the male pathway during ovarian development. Here, we show that follistatin (Fst), which encodes a TGFbeta superfamily binding protein, is a downstream component of Wnt4 signaling. Fst inhibits formation of the XY-specific coelomic vessel in XX gonads. In addition, germ cells in the ovarian cortex are almost completely lost in both Wnt4 and Fst null gonads before birth. Thus, we propose that WNT4 acts through FST to regulate vascular boundaries and maintain germ cell survival in the ovary.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Yao, HHC; Matzuk, MM; Jorgez, CJ; Menke, DB; Page, DC; Swain, A; Capel, B

Published Date

  • June 2004

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 230 / 2

Start / End Page

  • 210 - 215

PubMed ID

  • 15162500

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC4046253

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1058-8388

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1002/dvdy.20042

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States