Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions play an important role in the development of many different organs and tissues. The secretory glands of the male reproductive system, including the prostate and seminal vesicles, are derived from epithelial precursors. Signals from the underlying mesenchyme are required for normal growth, branching, and differentiation of the seminal vesicle epithelium. Here, we show that a member of the BMP family, Gdf7, is required for normal seminal vesicle development. Expression and tissue recombination experiments suggest that Gdf7 is a mesenchymal signal that acts in a paracrine fashion to control the differentiation of the seminal vesicle epithelium.
Copyright 2001 Academic Press.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antigens, Differentiation
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Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I
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Bone Morphogenetic Proteins*
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Cell Differentiation
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Embryonic Induction
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Epithelium
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Growth Differentiation Factors
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Growth Substances / genetics
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Growth Substances / metabolism*
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In Vitro Techniques
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Infertility, Male / genetics
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Male
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Mesoderm / transplantation
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Mice
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Mice, Mutant Strains
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Morphogenesis
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / isolation & purification
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Rats
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Receptors, Growth Factor / isolation & purification
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Seminal Vesicles / embryology*
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Seminal Vesicles / growth & development*
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Seminal Vesicles / pathology
Substances
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Antigens, Differentiation
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Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
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Gdf7 protein, mouse
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Gdf7 protein, rat
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Growth Differentiation Factors
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Growth Substances
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Receptors, Growth Factor
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growth differentiation factor 7
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
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Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I