β-CateninC429S mice exhibit sterility consequent to spatiotemporally sustained Wnt signalling in the internal genitalia

Sci Rep. 2014 Nov 7:4:6959. doi: 10.1038/srep06959.

Abstract

Wnt/β-catenin signalling regulates numerous developmental and homeostatic processes. Ctnnb1 (also known as β-catenin) is the only protein that transmits signals from various Wnt ligands to downstream genes. In this study, we report that our newly established mouse strain, which harbours a Cys429 to Ser missense mutation in the β-catenin gene, exhibited specific organ defects in contrast to mice with broadly functioning Wnt/β-catenin signalling. Both homozygous mutant males and females produced normal gametes but were infertile because of abnormal seminal vesicle and vaginal morphogenesis. An ins-TOPGAL transgenic reporter spatiotemporally sustained Wnt/β-catenin signalling during the corresponding organogenesis. Therefore, β-catenin(C429S) should provide new insights into β-catenin as a universal component of Wnt/β-catenin signal transduction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Female
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Homozygote
  • Infertility, Female / genetics*
  • Infertility, Male / genetics*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mutation*
  • Ovum / growth & development
  • Ovum / metabolism
  • Seminal Vesicles / abnormalities
  • Seminal Vesicles / growth & development
  • Seminal Vesicles / metabolism*
  • Spermatozoa / growth & development
  • Spermatozoa / metabolism
  • Vagina / abnormalities
  • Vagina / growth & development
  • Vagina / metabolism*
  • Wnt Proteins / genetics
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway*
  • beta Catenin / genetics*
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, mouse
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin