Coordinated activity of Spry1 and Spry2 is required for normal development of the external genitalia.

ABSTRACT: Development of the mammalian external genitalia is controlled by a network of signaling molecules and transcription factors. Because FGF signaling plays a central role in this complicated morphogenetic process, we investigated the role of Sprouty genes, which are important intracellular modulators of FGF signaling, during embryonic development of the external genitalia in mice. We found that Sprouty genes are expressed by the urethral epithelium during embryogenesis, and that they have a critical function during urethral canalization and fusion. Development of the genital tubercle (GT), the anlage of the prepuce and glans penis in males and glans clitoris in females, was severely affected in male embryos carrying null alleles of both Spry1 and Spry2. In Spry1(-/-);Spry2(-/-) embryos, the i

SUBMITTER: Ching ST 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3921686 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature