Recent developments in molecular embryogenesis and molecular biology of the pituitary

Abstract

The functions of anterior pituitary cells are regulated by hypothalamic hormones. Anterior pituitary cell functions are also controlled by transcription factors which have regulatory roles in early pituitary development. Morphogenetic signaling molecules, such as fibroblast growth factor 8, morphogenetic proteins, sonic hedgehog, and Wnt4, have critical roles in the early development of anterior pituitary. Notch signaling is required for maintaining the expression of the transcription factor Prop1 which is needed for GH-PRL-TSH lineage differentiation. Mutations of specific transcription factors can lead to abnormalities in pituitary development and other abnormalities such as some forms of dwarfism. © 2010 Springer-Verlag New York.