Multi-omics unravels testis-regulated genetic mechanism of musk secretion in muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)
Bing Song, Tingting Hong, Chenmiao Liu, Jie Wu, Shuhui Wang, Zhanjun Ren · 2026
Read Multi-omics unravels testis-regulated genetic mechanism of musk secretion in muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) by Bing Song, Tingting Hong, Chenmiao Liu, Jie Wu, Shuhui Wang, Zhanjun Ren (2026) in the Tower of Babel, a free online library of public-domain works preserved in clean, searchable text. No sign-up. The full text is served as a plain-text file at a predictable URL, where text is present: https://antarctic-labs.com/tower-of-babel/PMC13495411.txt.
Description
Bing Song and colleagues unravel, in a 2026 study, how the testes steer musk making in the muskrat. Male muskrats in season secrete a musk much like that of musk deer, prized in scent and medicine, yet the control chain was unknown. The team read genes and small molecules in scent glands and testes from two-year-old males in and out of the scenting season.
Tissue shape differed sharply between seasons. Fifteen gland genes were tied to building the main musk parts through fat, cholesterol, and steroid paths. Seven testis genes governed sex hormone making and signaling. Joined analysis showed the testes raising a carrier molecule and switching gland genes through hormone signals, in effect phoning instructions to the gland. The authors map a testis-led control system for musk output, a base for farming or lab work on musk supply.
Catalog record
| CREATOR | Bing Song, Tingting Hong, Chenmiao Liu, Jie Wu, Shuhui Wang, Zhanjun Ren |
|---|---|
| YEAR | 2026 |
| COLLECTION | PAPERS |
| FORMAT | TXT |
| FILE SIZE | 54323 |
| LICENSE | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 |
| RIGHTS | CC BY |
| SOURCE | Europe PMC |