Reproduction Abstracts

Introduction: The anterior pituitary lobe is a key endocrine tissue composed of five types of endocrine-cells and non-hormonal cells. Among non-endocrine-cells, Sox2-expressing cells exist as stem/progenitor cells and play a role in the regeneration of endocrine-cells in the adult pituitary. Recently, we have reported that transcription factors, Prop1, Prrx1 and Prrx2, are expressed in the pituitary stem/progenitor cells and these cells cont...

Introduction: FSH and LH are glycoprotein hormones and are synthesized in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and plays critical roles for maintenance of vital functions. FSH and LH are secreted to pituitary capillary vessel and exert their effects on reproductive organs of both sexes to stimulate steroidogenesis and gametogenesis. Secretion of FSH and LH is controlled mainly by GnRH released from hypothalamus. Many investigations on secretion of FSH and LH were performed...

Introduction: The pituitary anterior lobe consists of five types of hormone-producing cells and non-hormonal cells. In non-hormonal cells, Sox2-expressing cells exist as stem/progenitor cells and play a role in the regeneration of hormonal cells. However, elucidation of the differentiation mechanism is yet uncovered. Established cell lines are frequently used as a model system not only for cellular physiology and gene expression but also for cell differentiation. In t...

Introduction: Paired-related transcription factors, PRRX1 and PRRX2, which are expressed in mesenchymal tissues and participate in mesenchymal cell differentiation, were recently found in stem/progenitor cells of the pituitary gland of ectodermal origin. The present study aimed to clarify the role of PRRX1 and PRRX2 in the pituitary gland by identifying factors that regulate the expression of both genes.Materials and methods: Immunohistochemistry, promot...

Introduction: Neuronatin (NNAT) is first identified in the neonatal neural tissue and is assumed to be involved in embryonic neurogenesis. Although defect of PROP1, a pituitary specific transcription factor important for pituitary organogenesis, causes reduced expression of the Nnat, the cellular localization and the vital roles of NNAT in the pituitary are still unclear. The present study examined the population of the NNAT-positive cells as to understand the role of NNAT in ...

Introduction: Pituitary cells positive for S100 protein are non-hormone-producing cells and are composed of heterogeneous populations, including folliculo-stellate cell. They are argued for having various functions and are detectable only after birth, but their origin is not yet clarified. Recently, we had detected S100βmRNA in the cDNA library of embryonic pituitary by real-time PCR and observed invasion of non-hormone-producing cells from surrounding mesenchyme...