Msx2 Plays a Central Role in Regulating Branching Morphogenesis During Mammary Development
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to determine the role of a transcriptional factor, Msx2, in regulating initial induction of mammary anlagen and subsequent branching events that may require cooperative assistance by a few other molecules. Due to the time limitation of the funding period, we focused our attention on one key event that Msx2 gene may be an essential player, i.e., the initial inductive event to form the mammary gland. We took advantage the fact that we have Msx2 transgenic animals in that the Msx2 transgene is controlled by the Msx2 promoter. We have shown that this promoter is active in the mesenchyme of mammary anlagen around the time mammary gland is form in the mouse. We hypothesized that Msx2 transgenic animals should be able to rescue the mammary gland development in the Msx2 null mutants. As predicted, we were able to rescue mammary gland development in the Msx2 null mutants when the transgene is present. In addition, we also found that the transgene enhanced branching at the expense of extension. We also noticed that in a small percentage of Msx2 null mutants, mammary gland did development; however, mammary glands in these animals showed fewer branches. Taken together these results, we concluded that the Msx2 gene is essential for the initial induction event, and in addition it regulates numbers of branches.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA398933
Entities
People
- Yi-Hsin Liu
Organizations
- Stanford University Medical Center