Several proteins have been identified as regulating early kidney development including: REarranged during Transfection protooncogene (RET), Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF), and Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptor Alpha-1 (GFRA1).
Introduction | Some Recent Findings | Molecules | References | Glossary
Skinner MA, Safford SD, Reeves JG, Jackson ME, Freemerman AJ. Renal Aplasia in Humans Is Associated with RET Mutations. Am J Hum Genet. 2008 Feb;82(2):344-51.
" In animal models, kidney formation is known to be controlled by the proteins RET (REarranged during Transfection protooncogene), GDNF (Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor), and GFRA1. We assayed for mutations in these genes in 33 stillborn (human) fetuses that had bilateral or unilateral renal agenesis (29 subjects) or severe congenital renal dysplasia (4 subjects). Mutations in RET were found in 7 of 19 fetuses with bilateral renal agenesis (37%) and 2 of 10 fetuses (20%) with unilateral agenesis."
(More? Abnormalities)
Notch
REarranged during Transfection protooncogene (RET) (Chromosomal Locus 10q11.2)
RET encodes a cell membrane receptor protein which binds GDNF. Binding of GDNF leads to receptor dimerization and signal transduction into the cell.
(see also Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 and Hirschsprung's disease)
Links: OMIM RET entry | OMIM Hirschsprung's disease entry
Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF)
Secreted soluble prtein that stimulates the two ureteric buds to grow out from the nephric ducts through RET signalling pathway.
Links: OMIM GDNF entry
Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptor Alpha-1 (GFRA1)
Links: OMIM GFRA1 entry .
Reviews
Cheng HT, Kopan R. The role of Notch signaling in specification of podocyte and proximal tubules within the developing mouse kidney. Kidney Int. 2005 Nov;68(5):1951-2.
Piscione TD, Rosenblum ND. The molecular control of renal branching morphogenesis: current knowledge and emerging insights. Differentiation. 2002 Aug;70(6):227-46.
Burrow CR. Retinoids and renal development. Exp Nephrol. 2000 Jul-Oct;8(4-5):219-25.
Search PubMed
Search Feb2008 "renal molecular development" 3828 reference articles of which 896 were reviews.
Search PubMed: term= renal molecular development
Selected Lists of References from PubMed March 1999 search results are available for Department of Anatomy computers without internet access. Computers with internet access can search from PubMed Internet Access
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Dev Biol (Gilbert)
These notes cover development of both the Kidney and Reproductive systems due to their close developmental and anatomical relationships. A new set of separate notes covering each of these systems is under development.
The kidney goes through several stages of development before establishing the mature kidney.
The functional unit of the kidney, the nephron, develops through a classical epithelial/mesenchyme type of interaction.
The gonads have quite different origins and developmental features, but are closely physically associated. A new more specific section of notes is being developed covering male and female gonad and genital development.
Please email Dr Mark Hill if you wish to make a comment about this current project.