UCSD team reviews pituitary gland development, from a common primordium to distinct ...( ork by others Rosenfeld and Scully not...),Health

We know there isnt a single dedicated transcription factor for each gene. Instead, a combination of factors binding to the unique DNA sequence of each target gene is required, Scully says.

Among the research mentioned in the article is work from the Rosenfeld lab on Pit-1, a homeodomain transcription factor that activates three genes encoding the hormones prolactin, growth hormone and thyrotropin, each of which is made by a different type of cell in the pituitary gland. In this case, the interactions of Pit-1with other factors are dictated by target gene sequence resulting in the expression of only one gene in each cell type.

The researchers note that some of the molecular mechanisms that regulate gene expression and lead to terminal differentiation of distinct cell types in the pituitary gland may be used to solve the same type of developmental problems in other organs of the body.

'"/>

Contact: Sue Pondrom
spondrom@ucsd.edu
619-543-6163
University of California - San Diego
22-Mar-2002