Conditional deletion of beta-catenin in the mesenchyme of the developing mouse uterus results in a switch to adipogenesis in the myometrium

Dev Biol. 2005 Dec 1;288(1):276-83. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2005.09.045. Epub 2005 Oct 27.

Abstract

Precise cell fate decisions during differentiation of uterine tissues from the embryonic Müllerian duct are critical for normal fertility. Wnt-7a, a member of the Wnt family of secreted signaling molecules that can signal through a canonical beta-catenin pathway, is necessary for the correct differentiation of both anterior/posterior and radial axes of the uterus. In order to investigate the role of beta-catenin directly in mouse uterine development, we have generated mice that are deficient in beta-catenin expression in the embryonic Müllerian duct. We have found that conditional deletion of beta-catenin in the Müllerian duct mesenchyme before postnatal differentiation of the uterine layers results in a phenotype that is distinct from the phenotype observed by deletion of Wnt-7a. Shortly after birth, the uteri of the conditional mutants appear smaller and less organized. The uteri of adult conditional beta-catenin mutants are grossly deficient in smooth muscle of the myometrium, which has been replaced by adipose, a phenotype resembling human lipoleiomyoma. We also show that the adipocytes in the uteri of mice conditionally deleted for beta-catenin are derived from Müllerian inhibiting substance type II receptor-expressing cells suggesting that they share a common origin with the uterine smooth muscle cells. These results describe the first molecular evidence linking disruption of beta-catenin expression in mesenchymal cells with a switch from myogenesis to adipogenesis in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / physiology
  • Adipogenesis / genetics*
  • Adipose Tissue / physiology
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion*
  • Integrases / biosynthesis
  • Integrases / genetics
  • Mesoderm / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Muscle, Smooth / metabolism
  • Myometrium / embryology*
  • Myometrium / growth & development
  • Uterus / embryology*
  • Uterus / growth & development
  • beta Catenin / deficiency*
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / physiology

Substances

  • beta Catenin
  • Cre recombinase
  • Integrases