雄性林麝（FMD；Moschus berezovskii）的麝香腺分泌的麝香因其医药和香料应用而受到高度重视。然而，麝香分泌的调节机制尚不清楚。本研究旨在调查不同时期和年龄参与麝香分泌的基因和转录因子。我们利用单细胞多组 ATAC 基因表达技术分析了成年男性 FMD 在非分泌期和分泌期的麝香腺，以及青少年和成年男性 FMD 在分泌期的麝香腺。我们的分析确定了 13 种细胞类型，包括 1 型和 2 型腺泡细胞。染色质可及性分析和基因表达数据证实，Map3k2、Hsd17b12 和 Jun 基因对于麝香分泌至关重要。此外，EHF、NR4A2 和 FOXO1 蛋白发挥着重要的调节作用。加权基因共表达网络分析 (WGCNA) 强调了 GnRH 信号通路在麝香分泌中的重要性。基因集富集分析（GSEA）表明类固醇激素生物合成途径在腺泡细胞中显着富集。此外，细胞间通讯似乎影响麝香分泌的启动和维持。这些发现为了解 FMD 中麝香分泌的分子途径提供了宝贵的见解，为增加麝香产量以及开发炎症和肿瘤治疗方法提供了潜在途径。版权所有 © 2024。由 Elsevier B.V. 出版。

Musk secreted by the musk glands in male forest musk deer (FMD; Moschus berezovskii) is highly valued for its pharmaceutical and perfumery applications. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying musk secretion are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the genes and transcription factors involved in musk secretion across different periods and ages. We analyzed the musk glands of adult male FMD during the non-secretory and secretory periods, as well as juvenile and adult male FMD during the secretory period, using single-cell multiome ATAC+gene expression technique. Our analysis identified 13 cell types, including acinar cells of Types 1 and 2. Chromatin accessibility analysis and gene expression data confirmed that the genes Map3k2, Hsd17b12, and Jun are critical for musk secretion. Additionally, EHF, NR4A2, and FOXO1 proteins play crucial regulatory roles. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) highlighted the importance of GnRH signaling pathway in musk secretion. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed that the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway is notably enriched in acinar cells. Furthermore, intercellular communication appears to influence both the initiation and maintenance of musk secretion. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular pathways of musk secretion in FMD, offering potential avenues for increasing musk production and developing treatment for inflammation and tumors.Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.