Mystery solved: discovery of a novel integrin ligand in the developing kidney.
Mutant mice lacking the integrin alpha8 subunit exhibit variable defects in kidney development with most mutants missing both kidneys. Several lines of evidence indicate that the known extracellular matrix ligands for integrin alpha8beta1 are either dispensable for or not involved in alpha8beta1 signaling during kidney development. This suggests the presence of an unknown ligand. A novel alpha8beta1 ligand, nephronectin, has now been identified. Nephronectin is a new extracellular matrix protein associated with the Wolffian duct and the ureteric bud, epithelial structures with well-defined roles in kidney development.
Miner
J H
JH
Department of Internal Medicine/Renal Division, and Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. minerj@pcg.wustl.edu
D000818:Animals; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018390:Gene Targeting; D016023:Integrins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007668:Kidney / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008024:Ligands; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014513:Ureter / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D014928:Wolffian Ducts / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism
D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D016023:Integrins; D008024:Ligands; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C094866:integrin alpha8beta1