title: Mammary gland: From embryogenesis to adult life.
abstract: The aim of this review is to focus on the molecular factors that ensure the optimal development and maintenance of the mammary gland thanks to their integration and coordination. The development of the mammary gland is supported, not only by endocrine signals, but also by regulatory molecules, which are able to integrate signals from the surrounding microenvironment. A major role is certainly played by homeotic genes, but their incorrect expression during the spatiotemporal regulation of proliferative, functional and differentiation cycles of the mammary gland, may result in the onset of neoplastic processes. Attention is directed also to the endocrine aspects and sexual dimorphism of mammary gland development, as well as the role played by ovarian steroids and their receptors in adult life.
authors: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Musumeci
authors: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy. Electronic address: pacastro@unict.it.
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Castrogiovanni
authors: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Marta Anna
authors: MA
authors: Szychlinska
authors: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Flavia Concetta
authors: FC
authors: Aiello
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G.F. Ingrassia, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Anatomic Pathology Section, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Giada Maria
authors: GM
authors: Vecchio
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G.F. Ingrassia, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Anatomic Pathology Section, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Salvatorelli
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G.F. Ingrassia, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Anatomic Pathology Section, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Gaetano
authors: G
authors: Magro
authors: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Rosa
authors: R
authors: Imbesi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000196:embryology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D015398:Signal Transduction; D055153:Stem Cell Niche
keywords: Development; Embryogenesis; Endocrine signals; Mammary gland