Eiki Kimura, Maureen Mongan, Bo Xiao, Antonius Christianto, Jingjing Wang, Vinicius S Carreira, Brad Bolon, Xiang Zhang, Katherine A Burns, Jacek Biesiada, Mario Medvedovic, Alvaro Puga, Ying Xia
Mitogen-Activated Protein 3 Kinase 1 (MAP3K1) has a plethora of cell-type specific functions not yet fully understood. Herein we describe a role for MAP3K1 in female reproductive tract (FRT) development. MAP3K1 kinase domain-deficient female mice exhibit imperforate vagina, labor failure, and infertility. These defects correspond with shunted Müllerian ducts (MDs), the embryonic precursors of FRT, that manifest as contorted caudal vagina and abrogated vaginal-urogenital sinus fusion in neonates. The MAP3K1 kinase domain is required for an optimal activation of the Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and cell polarity in MD epithelium, and for up-regulation of WNT signaling in mesenchyme surrounding the caudal MD...
March 19, 2024: Disease Models & Mechanisms