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β-Catenin and FGFR2 regulate postnatal rosette-based adrenocortical morphogenesis
Sining Leng1,2, Emanuele Pignatti1,3, Radhika S Khetani4
1Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
Nature Communications
|April 5, 2020
Summary
Adrenal cortex cells form rosettes, crucial for postnatal development and adult tissue maintenance. This study reveals β-catenin and Fgfr2 regulate rosette formation, impacting adrenal structure and function.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Rosettes are key in embryonic epithelial morphogenesis.
- Their function in postnatal development and adult tissue maintenance is largely unknown.
- The zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex is essential for hormone production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of rosettes in postnatal adrenal development and adult tissue maintenance.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms regulating rosette formation in the zona glomerulosa.
- To identify key genes involved in adrenal rosette morphogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized genetic mouse models to study β-catenin function.
- Analyzed adherens junction dynamics and rosette formation.
- Investigated the role of Fgfr2 in adrenal rosette development.
Main Results:
- Zona glomerulosa cells form rosettes via adherens junction-mediated constriction.
- Loss of β-catenin disrupts rosettes and adrenal structure; stabilization expands glomeruli.
- Fgfr2 is essential for rosette formation by regulating adherens junctions.
Conclusions:
- Rosette formation is vital for postnatal adrenal morphogenesis and tissue maintenance.
- β-catenin and Fgfr2 are critical regulators of adrenal rosette formation.
- This study provides a framework for understanding zona glomerulosa function.
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