Kidney Development Mechanisms

A structure at the tip of the limb bud, important for limb development along the proximal-distal axis.

The axis of limb development running from the body (proximal) to the tip (distal).

A substance involved in pattern formation, with its concentration varying, dictating cell responses.

The axis extending from the front (anterior) to the back (posterior) of the limb.

A region at the posterior edge of the limb bud, hypothesized to secrete morphogen molecules defining the anterior-posterior axis.

A family of secreted signaling proteins.

A specific fibroblast growth factor expressed in the AER, which plays a role in proximodistal development of the limb.

A continuous change in the concentration of a substance in space.

BMP2, a signaling molecule, plays a key role in kidney development. High concentrations promote lateral plate tissues, low concentrations promote paraxial tissues, and medium concentrations induce kidney tissue.

Lim-1 and Pax-2/8 are transcription factors activated by BMP2 and paraxial mesoderm signals, leading to the expression of downstream genes critical for kidney development.

The ureteric bud is a structure that forms the collecting duct system of the kidney, which is involved in transporting urine to the bladder.

The metanephric mesenchyme is a specialized tissue that forms the nephrons, the functional units of the kidney involved in filtering blood.

Reciprocal induction is a process where two cell types interact and influence each other's development. This is crucial in kidney formation, allowing for the coordinated growth of the ureteric bud and metanephric mesenchyme.

An activating mutation in the FGFR3 gene that causes premature closure of growth plates, leading to shortened limbs; the resulting phenotype is non-vitruvian, implying the tissues haven't grown proportionately.

A pathway that inhibits chondrocyte growth and differentiation. Activating mutations reverse the effect of this signal, leading to growth.

A body plan where parts don't grow proportionally. In Achondroplasia, the limbs are shortened, but the tissues (skin, tendons) maintain their normal proportions, challenging the growth as a single entity.

Autocrine signaling where a cell secretes a factor, and the cell containing the factor's receptor determines whether to continue cell growth or not (based on concentrations).

Skin growth can be stimulated by prolonged mechanical tension. Mitosis in skin cells is a response to maintaining tension.

A theory detailing how survival of cells like neurons is regulated. It argues that signals from target cells are essential for the survival of cells, and a lack thereof leads to cell death.

Chemicals (e.g., NGF, BDNF) responsible for promoting the survival of neurons, particularly during development of neural structures. More signals lead to more neurons.

Experiments where organs are separated from their surroundings to see if their growth is independent from other tissues or the framework. When in isolation, growth can be affected by the environment.