PROP1 coexists with SOX2 and induces PIT1-commitment cells.
Prophet of PIT1 (PROP1) is a pituitary-specific factor and responsive gene for the combined pituitary hormone deficiency in Ames dwarf mice and human patients. Our immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that PROP1 is consistently expressed in SOX2-expressing stem/progenitor cells in the rat pituitary from embryonic (E) to postnatal periods. At E13.5, all the cells in Rathke's pouch, the primordium of the pituitary, express PROP1. Afterward, PROP1-positive cells localize along the marginal cell layer, a putative stem cell niche in the pituitary, and stratify in the parenchyma of the anterior pituitary. In the embryonic period, PROP1 coexists transiently with PIT1, which is the anterior pituitary-specific factor and is a target of PROP1, but not any hormones. Thus, the present results imply a regulatory role of PROP1 not only in pituitary organogenesis but also in conversion of PIT1-lineage cells.
Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashi-Mita, Tama-ku, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan.
Saishu
S
Yoshida
Takako
T
Kato
Takao
T
Susa
Li-yi
LY
Cai
Michie
M
Nakayama
Yukio
Y
Kato
D000818:Animals; D019070:Cell Lineage; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D038081:Organogenesis; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D055153:Stem Cell Niche / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D050817:Transcription Factor Pit-1 / Q000378:metabolism*
D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C102134:Prophet of Pit-1 protein; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors; C527784:Sox2 protein, rat; D050817:Transcription Factor Pit-1