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Table 1 List of selected morphogens acting during the initial phase of nephrogenesis

From: Concepts for a therapeutic prolongation of nephrogenesis in preterm and low-birth-weight babies must correspond to structural-functional properties in the nephrogenic zone

Morphogen

Function

Expression site

Receptor in target

References

Wnt9b

Induction of nephrogenesis, mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET)

CD ampulla

FZD (Frizzled)/LRP receptor-related protein in mesenchyme

[97]

BMP4

Prevention of ectopic branching of CD tubule

Mesenchyme

Activin-like kinase 3/6 (Alk)/type II receptor in CD ampulla

[131]

BMP7

Branching of CD ampulla, competence and receptivity in mesenchyme

Mesenchyme

Activin-like kinase 3/6 (Alk)/type II receptor in CD ampulla in mesenchyme

[68, 131]

GDNF

Elongation of CD tubule, branching of CD ampulla, site-specific cell proliferation

Mesenchyme

Receptor tyrosine-protein kinase (Ret)/GDNF f-mily receptor Alpha 1 (GFRα1) in CD ampulla

[80]

Wnt5a

Clear position of mesenchyme, induction of nephrogenesis

CD ampulla

FZD (Frizzled)/LRP receptor-related protein In mesenchyme

[132]

Wnt4

Induction of nephrogenesis, mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET)

Condensing mesenchyme

Pretubular aggregate

FZD (Frizzled)/LRP receptor-related protein in mesenchyme

[74, 133]

Fgf8

Transition of induced mesenchyme into pretubular aggregate and renal vesicle

Mesenchyme

Renal vesicle

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 and 2 (Fgfr1/2) in mesenchyme

[98, 103, 134]