Mesonephric FGF signaling is associated with the development of sexually indifferent gonadal primordium in chick embryos

Hidefumi Yoshioka; Yoshiyasu Ishimaru; Noriyuki Sugiyama; Naoki Tsunekawa; Toshiaki Noce; Megumi Kasahara; Ken-ichirou Morohashi

doi:10.1016/j.ydbio.2005.01.011

Mesonephric FGF signaling is associated with the development of sexually indifferent gonadal primordium in chick embryos

Dev Biol. 2005 Apr 1;280(1):150-61. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2005.01.011.

Authors

Hidefumi Yoshioka¹, Yoshiyasu Ishimaru, Noriyuki Sugiyama, Naoki Tsunekawa, Toshiaki Noce, Megumi Kasahara, Ken-ichirou Morohashi

Affiliation

¹ Department of Natural Sciences, Hyogo University of Teacher Education, 942-1, Yashiro-cho, Kato Gun, Hyogo 673-1494, Japan.

PMID: 15766755
DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2005.01.011

Abstract

The gonad as well as the reproductive tracts, kidney, and adrenal cortex are derived from the intermediate mesoderm. In addition, the intermediate mesoderm forms the mesonephros. Although the mesonephros is the source of certain testicular cell types, its contribution to gonad formation through expression of growth factors is largely unknown. Here, we examined the expression profiles of FGF9 in the developing mesonephros of chick embryos at sexually indifferent stages, and found that the expression domain is adjacent to the gonadal primordium. Moreover, FGFR3 (FGF receptor 3) showed a strong expression in the gonadal primordium. Next, we examined the functions of FGF signal during gonadal development with misexpressed FGF9. Interestingly, misexpression of FGF9 led to gonadal expansion through stimulation of cell proliferation. In contrast, treatment with a chemical inhibitor for FGFR decreased cell proliferation and resulted in reduction of the gonadal size. Simultaneously, the treatment resulted in reduction of gonadal marker gene expression. Our study demonstrated that FGF expressed in the developing mesonephros is involved in the development of the gonad at the sexually indifferent stages through stimulation of gonadal cell proliferation and gonadal marker gene expression.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Biomarkers
Cell Proliferation
Chick Embryo
DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
Fibroblast Growth Factor 9
Fibroblast Growth Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
Fibroblast Growth Factors / genetics
Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism*
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
Gonads / embryology*
Gonads / physiology
Homeodomain Proteins
In Situ Hybridization
Mesonephros / embryology*
Mesonephros / metabolism*
Mice
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
Pyrroles / metabolism
Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3
Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / genetics
Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / metabolism
Sex Differentiation*
Signal Transduction / physiology*
Steroidogenic Factor 1
Transcription Factors / genetics
Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

Biomarkers
DMRT1 protein
DNA-Binding Proteins
Fgf9 protein, mouse
Fibroblast Growth Factor 9
Homeodomain Proteins
Pyrroles
Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor
SU 5402
Steroidogenic Factor 1
Transcription Factors
Fibroblast Growth Factors
Fgfr3 protein, mouse
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3