Smad-Mediated Signaling During Prostate Growth and Development
Abstract
SPECIFIC AIM 1: To define the developmental and temporo-spatial expression of Smad genes during embryonic prostate development (i) in vivo and (ii) in neonatal mouse prostate organ culture. SPECIFIC AIM 2: To determine the molecular mechanisms of TGF-beta pathway restricted Smad2 and Smad3 in regulating prostate ductal branching morphogenesis and cytodifferentiation in serumless organ culture. SPECIFIC AIM 3: To define the biological function of the feedback inhibitory Smad7 and Smad6 proteins during mouse prostate growth and development in organ culture. CONCLUSION: These studies are focused on the specific signal transduction mechanism related to TGF-beta binding to specific receptors, subsequent activation of kinase activity and activation of downstream mediators through phosphorylation. The development of the technologies to evaluate loss-of-function and gain-of-function of this signaling pathway will allow focus of specific cell differentiation under the control of TGF-beta signaling. The use of novel transgenic mice provides approaches that are focused on specific elements of the signaling pathway. Further investigation of the fundamental mechanisms will provide improved characterization of control of the critical developmental events.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA437694
Entities
People
- Charles Shuler
Organizations
- University of Southern California