title: VIP pipes up: neuronal signals direct tubulogenesis.
abstract: Biological tubes serve as the body's plumbing system, transporting fluids and gases throughout secretory, circulatory, and respiratory organs. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Nedvetsky et al. (2014) find that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), secreted by parasympathetic nerves, is a surprising player in directing epithelial tubulogenesis in salivary glands.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, 224 Mudd Hall, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Houtz
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, 224 Mudd Hall, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA. Electronic address: rkuruvilla@jhu.edu.
authors.forename: Rejji
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kuruvilla
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005726:Ganglia, Parasympathetic / Q000378:metabolism*; D038081:Organogenesis; D018987:Salivary Ducts / Q000196:embryology*; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide