Analysis for developmental mechanisms of protrusion and outgrowth

胚胎附属器结构，包括发育中的外生殖器，是分析器官突起和突起发育机制的合适模型。尽管一些研究已经评估了不同生长因子对附件生长的单独作用，但对信号级联的协调作用知之甚少。我们的结果为生长因子信号(即Hedgehog、Wnt和FGFs)在调控外生殖器发育的附件发育程序中的整合提供了新的见解。我们还展示了在外生殖器发育的后期，这些生长因子和性类固醇激素(雄激素)的相互作用。

Embryonic appendicular structures, including the developing external genitalia, are suitable models to analyze the developmental mechanisms of organ protrusion and outgrowth. Although several studies have evaluated individual functions of different growth factors on appendicular growth, the coordinated function of signaling cascades is poorly understood. Our results provide new insights into the integration of growth factor signaling (i.e. hedgehog, Wnt and Fgfs) in the appendicular developmental programs regulating external genitalia development. We also demonstrated the interaction of such growth factors and sex steroid hormones (androgens) during later stage of external genital development.