title: Identification of a novel progenitor cell marker, grainyhead-like 2 in the developing pituitary.
abstract: Pituitary stem/progenitor cells give rise to all of the endocrine cell types within the pituitary gland and are necessary for both development and gland homeostasis. Recent studies have identified several key factors that characterize the progenitor cell population. However, little is known about the factors that regulate progenitor cell differentiation and maintenance. Therefore, it is crucial to identify novel factors that help elucidate mechanisms of progenitor cell function in the developing pituitary. Our studies are the first to characterize the expression of Grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2), a transcription factor known to regulate progenitor cell plasticity, in the developing pituitary.
  
  
  
  Our studies show GRHL2 expression is highest in the embryonic and early postnatal pituitary and is localized in pituitary progenitor cells. We demonstrate GRHL2 expression is changed in Notch2 cKO and Prop1df/dfmice, mouse models that display progenitor cell number defects. In addition, our studies indicate a potential relationship between Notch signaling and GRHL2 expression in the developing pituitary.
  
  
  
  Taken together, our results indicate GRHL2 as a novel progenitor cell maker in the developing pituitary that may contribute to progenitor cell function and maintenance. Developmental Dynamics 245:1097-1106, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors: Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois.
authors: Whitney
authors: W
authors: Edwards
authors: Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois.|Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.
authors: Leah B
authors: LB
authors: Nantie
authors: Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois. raetzman@life.illinois.edu.
authors: Lori T
authors: LT
authors: Raetzman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051883:Receptor, Notch2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C102134:Prophet of Pit-1 protein; D051883:Receptor, Notch2; D014157:Transcription Factors; C552738:grainy head-like 2 protein, mouse
keywords: Grhl2; Notch signaling; pituitary development; progenitor