Temporal calcium activity in metanephric mesenchyme cells regulates kidney branching morphogenesis

• The role of calcium signaling for development of early vertebrates is well documented, but little is known about its role in mammalian embryogenesis. We have used explanted embryonic rat kidneys to study the role of calcium for branching morphogenesis, a process that depends on reciprocal interaction between mesenchymal and epithelial ureteric bud cells. We recorded a spontaneous calcium activity characterized by stochastic and irregular calcium spikes, in the mesenchymal cells. This activity is due to calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Depletion of ER calcium stores results in down-regulation of the calcium activity, retardation of branching morphogenesis and formation of primitive nephrons, but has no effect on cell proliferation. We propose that the excretion of morphogenic factors that mediate the interaction between 26 the mesenchymal and epithelial cells, which initiate branching morphogenesis, is calcium dependent. In support of this we demonstrate expression of the calcium dependent excretory protein synaptotagmin1.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Utvecklingsbiologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Developmental Biology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Calcium signaling

kidney development

embryonic kidney

synaptotagmin

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)