title: Functional maturation of growth hormone cells in the anterior pituitary gland of the fetus.
abstract: Recent studies have disclosed the molecular mechanisms responsible for the phenotype determination of the anterior pituitary cell types. However, as far as growth hormone (GH) cells are concerned, particular extra-cellular cues are required for the initiation of GH and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH)-receptor gene production in addition to the expression of the cell type specific transcription factor, pit-1. The glucocorticoids play a principal role in the functional maturation of nascent GH cells in the fetal pituitary glands in rodents, inducing GH and GHRH-receptor gene expression, and establish the GH secretory system regulated by the brain in late gestation. Research supporting this role for glucocorticoid in the development of GH cells is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.
authors.forename: Haruo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nogami
authors.forename: Setsuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hisano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000378:metabolism; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000196:embryology*; D052683:Somatotrophs / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D013006:Growth Hormone; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone