| First Author | Koizumi M | Year | 2015 |
| Journal | Biol Reprod | Volume | 93 |
| Issue | 4 | Pages | 90 |
| PubMed ID | 26333992 | Mgi Jnum | J:227517 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5700616 | Doi | 10.1095/biolreprod.114.123638 |
| Citation | Koizumi M, et al. (2015) Lgr4 controls specialization of female gonads in mice. Biol Reprod 93(4):90 |
| abstractText | Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 4 (Lgr4) is a type of membrane receptor with a seven-transmembrane structure. LGR4 is homologous to gonadotropin receptors, such as follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (Fshr) and luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (Lhcgr). Recently, it has been reported that Lgr4 is a membrane receptor for R-spondin ligands, which mediate Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. Defects of R-spondin homolog (Rspo1) and wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 4 (Wnt4) cause masculinization of female gonads. We observed that Lgr4(-/-) female mice show abnormal development of the Wolffian ducts and somatic cells similar to that in the male gonads. Lgr4(-/-) female mice exhibited masculinization similar to that observed in Rspo1-deficient mice. In Lgr4(-/-) ovarian somatic cells, the expression levels of lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (Lefl) and Axin2 (Axin2), which are target genes of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, were lower than they were in wild-type mice. This study suggests that Lgr4 is critical for ovarian somatic cell specialization via the cooperative signaling of Rspo1 and Wnt/beta-catenin. |
