Development of sexual difference in the external-internal genitalia

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Molecular mechanisms for establishment of sex differences.
• Project/Area Number: 22132006
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: Wakayama Medical University (2011-2014); Kumamoto University (2010)
• Principal Investigator: YAMADA Gen 和歌山県立医科大学, 先端医学研究所, 教授 (80174712)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): SUZUKI Kentaro 和歌山県立医科大学, 先端医学研究所, 講師 (20404345)
• Project Period (FY): 2010-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 性差 / 外生殖器 / MafB / 男性ホルモン / アンドロゲンレセプター(AR) / 生殖

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Significant achievements about mechanisms for sexual differences in reproductive organ formation were obtained (GT). We identified Wnt signal regulating sexual differences of external genitalia and identified a regulatory gene, Mafb　(PNAS, 2014).　　Mafb KO male GTs exhibit defective urethral formation like the cases for hypospadias.
We also identified gene functions related with early WD formation (Endocrinology. 2014,D B. 2015). We further identified P63 as downstream in such epithelia (Endocrinology, 2014). We also found that Bmp (Bone morphogenic protein) as playing important roles for prostate (Endocrinology, 2014). We identified mechanisms regulating male type of muscle formation (Endocriponology, 2014). We gave symposium talk at Endocrinology meeting in U.S., Gordon Conference, European DSD. In sum, future perspectives for sexual regulation, sexual plasticity is obtained.

Free Research Field

生殖発生学