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 Physiol Chem I

The mammalian metanephros develops through reciprocal induction of ureteric bud cells and the intermediate (metanephric) mesenchyme. The latter form most of the nephron - the filtration unit and most of the tubules, while ureteric bud cells preferentially contribute to the collection system.

 

The early events of nephrogenesis, where mesenchymal cells are transformed into epithelial and glomerular precursors is only partly understood. We have used in vitro organ culture in the past to identify a number of genes that are regulated during the initial steps of metanephric induction and development. Examples are the sFRP2, Hey1, Emu1 and Snep genes. All four genes encode members of larger protein families and we have characterized gene expression patterns for the entire families in each case.

The kidney organ culture system is depicted below. This allows part of the embryonic kidney development to be monitored and experimentally altered during the course of up to 10 days. When kidney rudiments from HoxB7-EGFP mice are used the ureter can be visualized by UV illumination (ref; WWW)

Current projects:

• The role of Notch signaling in kidney development: expression survey, knockout studies, in vitro manipulation using organ cultures
• Functional analysis of Emu1 and Emu2: expression analysis, immunodetection, expression in cell lines for interaction studies, overexpression in fish, mouse knockout
• Characterization of a novel nidogen-related extracellular matrix molecule (SNEP)

Summary in the Scientific report 1997-2000 ; Introduction

Summary in the Scientific report 2000-2004

Our work is supported by:

• Sonderforschungsbereich 465 (Entwicklung und Manipulation pluripotenter Zellen, TP A4)
• Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft