Pituitary homeobox 1 (Ptx1) is differentially expressed during pituitary development

C Lanctôt, Y Gauthier, J Drouin - Endocrinology, 1999 - academic.oup.com
C Lanctôt, Y Gauthier, J Drouin
Endocrinology, 1999academic.oup.com
Abstract Pituitary homeobox 1 (Ptx1) is a homeodomain-containing transcription factor
acting on transcription of all pituitary hormone genes. Its expression is first detected in the
stomodeal ectoderm and is maintained in all derivatives of this structure, including Rathke's
pouch. We now show that Ptx1 is expressed in all pituitary cells but that it is differentially
expressed in different lineages at both the messenger RNA and protein levels. On day 12.5
of mouse embryonic development, cells expressing the highest levels of Ptx1 are restricted …
Abstract
Pituitary homeobox 1 (Ptx1) is a homeodomain-containing transcription factor acting on transcription of all pituitary hormone genes. Its expression is first detected in the stomodeal ectoderm and is maintained in all derivatives of this structure, including Rathke’s pouch. We now show that Ptx1 is expressed in all pituitary cells but that it is differentially expressed in different lineages at both the messenger RNA and protein levels. On day 12.5 of mouse embryonic development, cells expressing the highest levels of Ptx1 are restricted to the forming pars tuberalis, also called the rostral tip, a region where the first α-glycoprotein subunit-expressing cells appear. Coimmunolocalization studies reveal that α-glycoprotein subunit-positive cells express the highest levels of Ptx1 throughout development and in the adult gland. The quantitative differences in Ptx1 expression in pituitary cell lineages may relate to a role in cell proliferation, lineage commitment, and/or the control of organ development.
Oxford University Press