Pleiotropic Functions of Fibroblast Growth Factor Signaling in Embryonic Mammary Gland Development

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Abstract

The mammary gland is an ectodermal appendage and a defining feature of mammals. Consistent with it being a recent evolutionary novelty, many of the molecules essential for the ontogeny and morphogenesis of various vertebrate organs, including those in the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling pathway, are co-opted for induction, maintenance and morphogenesis of the mammary glands. Understanding the mechanism whereby FGF signaling regulates the fundamental cell behavior during normal mammary gland develop may facilitate determination of the consequences of its deregulation during breast cancer progression.

Keywords

Mammary placode Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions FGF signaling Vertebrate organogenesis 

Abbreviations

AER

Apical ectodermal ridge

BMP

Bone morphogenetic protein

E

Embryonic day

FGF

Fibroblast growth factor

FGFR

FGF receptor

MMTV

Murine mammary tumor virus

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Notes

Acknowledgements

We would like to Ms. Hannah Collins for reading the manuscript. This work was supported by grants from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) (No. 2011–0015661) to H.S.J. and from Breakthrough Breast Cancer to P.L. The Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, University of Manchester, was supported by core funding from the Wellcome Trust (088785/Z/09/Z).

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Division in Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Department of Oral Biology, Brain Korea 21 project, Oral Science Research Institute, College of Dentistry, Yonsei Center of BiotechnologyYonsei UniversitySeoulKorea
  2. 2.Oral Biosciences, Faculty of DentistryThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
  3. 3.Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Matrix Research, Faculty of Life SciencesUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
  4. 4.Division in Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Department of Oral Biology, College of DentistryYonsei UniversitySeoulKorea

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