Fibroblast growth factor signaling in the developing neuroendocrine hypothalamus.
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is pivotal to the formation of numerous central regions. Increasing evidence suggests FGF signaling also directs the development of the neuroendocrine hypothalamus, a collection of neuroendocrine neurons originating primarily within the nose and the ventricular zone of the diencephalon. This review outlines evidence for a role of FGF signaling in the prenatal and postnatal development of several hypothalamic neuroendocrine systems. The emphasis is placed on the nasally derived gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons, which depend on neurotrophic cues from FGF signaling throughout the neurons' lifetime. Although less is known about neuroendocrine neurons derived from the diencephalon, recent studies suggest they also exhibit variable levels of dependence on FGF signaling. Overall, FGF signaling provides a broad spectrum of cues that ranges from genesis, cell survival/death, migration, morphological changes, to hormone synthesis in the neuroendocrine hypothalamus. Abnormal FGF signaling will deleteriously impact multiple hypothalamic neuroendocrine systems, resulting in the disruption of diverse physiological functions.
Department of Integrative Physiology and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0354, USA. pei-san.tsai@colorado.edu
Pei-San
PS
Tsai
Leah R
LR
Brooks
Johanna R
JR
Rochester
Scott I
SI
Kavanaugh
Wilson C J
WC
Chung
D000818:Animals; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors