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Published on: November 17, 2016
Mesenchymal factor bone morphogenetic protein 4 restricts ductal budding and branching morphogenesis in the
M L Lamm1, C A Podlasek, D H Barnett
1Department of Urology, Northwestern University Medical School, Tarry Building 11-715, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
Developmental Biology
|June 13, 2001
Summary
Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) restricts prostate ductal budding and branching during development. This study identifies BMP4 as a key mesenchymal factor regulating prostate morphogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Prostate morphogenesis initiates with urogenital sinus epithelial budding.
- Key epithelial and mesenchymal factors governing ductal development remain largely unidentified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) as a mesenchymal regulator of prostate ductal morphogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression analysis of Bmp4 in the developing male urogenital sinus.
- In vitro culture of urogenital sinus tissues with exogenous BMP4.
- Analysis of prostate development in adult Bmp4 haploinsufficient mice.
Main Results:
- Bmp4 expression is concentrated in the mesenchyme surrounding developing prostatic ducts.
- Exogenous BMP4 inhibits epithelial cell proliferation and ductal budding in vitro.
- Bmp4 haploinsufficiency leads to increased duct tips in adult mice.
Conclusions:
- BMP4 is a critical mesenchymal factor in the urogenital sinus.
- BMP4 acts to restrict prostate ductal budding and branching morphogenesis.
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