Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Signaling has a Role in Labuloalveolar
Development of the Mammary Gland
Summary
We have used the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter to express two dominant
negative (DN) fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) isoforms in the mammary epithelium
of transgenic mice. While expression of DN-FGFR1(IIIc) showed no discernible
phenotype, a similar kniase negative form of FGFR2(IIIb) caused a marked impairment of
labuloalveolas development. The growth retaration was apparent by mid pregnancy and
persisted in the post-partnum glands. Despite the substantial underdevelopment of
the mammary gland there was a measurable lactational response, but it was insufficient to
properly sustain the new-born pups. These findings demonstrate that fibroblast
growth factor sigmalling is necessary for pregnancy dependent labuloalveolar development
of the mammary gland.
Citations
David Jackson, Janine Bresnick, Ian Rosewell, Tracy Crafton, Richard Poulsom, Gordon
Stamp and Clive Dickson. Journal of Cell Science. 110: 1261-1268
(1997).
David Jackson
Laboratory of Viral Carcinogenesis
Imperial Cancer Reserach Fund
44 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London, WC2A, 3PX
UK