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Delivering the message: epimorphin and mammary epithelial morphogenesis
Derek C Radisky1, Yohei Hirai, Mina J Bissell
1Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
Trends in Cell Biology
|July 31, 2003
Summary
Epimorphin directs mammary gland development by controlling epithelial branching and tube widening. This extracellular protein
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Extracellular Matrix Biology
Background:
- Mammary gland development involves complex epithelial and mesenchymal interactions.
- Epimorphin, an extracellular protein, is produced by mesenchymal cells.
- Epithelial morphogenesis is crucial for gland formation and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline mammary gland development fundamentals.
- To describe the function of epimorphin in tubulogenesis.
- To review epimorphin's role in other glandular organs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of mammary gland development.
- Analysis of epimorphin's role in branching and luminal morphogenesis.
- Review of studies on epimorphin in other organs.
Main Results:
- Epimorphin directs epithelial morphogenesis in the mammary gland.
- Context-dependent functions of epimorphin in branching and luminal morphogenesis.
- Epimorphin regulates tubule initiation, extension, and caliber enlargement.
Conclusions:
- Epimorphin is a key regulator of mammary gland tubulogenesis.
- Epimorphin's morphogenic roles extend to other glandular organs.
- Understanding epimorphin function is vital for developmental biology research.