title: Patterning the embryonic kidney: BMP signaling mediates the differentiation of the pronephric tubules and duct in Xenopus laevis.
abstract: The Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) mediate a wide range of diverse cellular behaviors throughout development. Previous studies implicated an important role for BMP signaling during the differentiation of the definitive mammalian kidney, the metanephros. In order to examine whether BMP signaling also plays an important role during the patterning of earlier renal systems, we examined the development of the earliest nephric system, the pronephros. Using the amphibian model system Xenopus laevis, in combination with reagents designed to inhibit BMP signaling during specific stages of nephric development, we revealed an evolutionarily conserved role for this signaling pathway during renal morphogenesis. Our results demonstrate that conditional BMP inhibition after specification of the pronephric anlagen is completed, but prior to the onset of morphogenesis and differentiation of renal tissues, results in the severe malformation of both the pronephric duct and tubules. Importantly, the effects of BMP signaling on the developing nephron during this developmental window are specific, only affecting the developing duct and tubules, but not the glomus. These data, combined with previous studies examining metanephric development in mice, provide further support that BMP functions to mediate morphogenesis of the specified renal field during vertebrate embryogenesis. Specifically, BMP signaling is required for the differentiation of two types of nephric structures, the pronephric tubules and duct.
authors: Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA.
authors: Christina M
authors: CM
authors: Bracken
authors: Karolina
authors: K
authors: Mizeracka
authors: Kelly A
authors: KA
authors: McLaughlin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D008845:Microinjections; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009399:Nephrons / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051905:Smad6 Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D029867:Xenopus Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D051905:Smad6 Protein; C497805:Smad6 protein, Xenopus; D029867:Xenopus Proteins