Müllerian-Inhibiting Substance: An Update

Publisher Summary

This chapter discusses Müllerian-inhibiting substance. Nature abounds with natural inhibitors. Apparent regression can result from the failure of stimulation, which occurs in patients with testosterone deficiency and in whom there is failure of development of the male genitalia. Regression can occur passively when a stimulus is withdrawn, for example, atrophy of the breasts when estrogen production is ablated. Regression can also occur actively under the direct influence of a regressor, without which an organ will persist autonomously. Müllerian-inhibiting substance is such a natural active regressor. Natural inhibitors such as Müllerian-inhibiting substance may be produced in small quantity representing less than 1% of the gene product of a cell, or may be produced only during a small window of embryonic development. Müllerian-inhibiting substance may serve as a prototype for similar molecules or products which may give us clues regarding intercellular and intracellular transport, as well as mechanisms of action that lead a cell or organ system to self destruct or to transform. Natural inhibitors such as MIS may prove to be effective chemotherapeutic agents because they should be endowed with specificity and in addition may possess molecular configurations which permit protected intercellular and intracellular transport. These substances may themselves be directly applicable as chemotherapeutic agents, or may act as homing carriers for other less specific chemotherapeutic or other radiomimetic agents.