Identification of molecular compartments and genetic circuitry in the developing mammalian kidney

Development, vol. 139 pp 1863-1873, 2012

Pre-typeset version available from Harvard.

doi: 10.1242/dev.074005


Jing Yu, M Todd Valerius, Mary Duah, Karl Staser, Jennifer K Hansard, Jin-jin Guo, Jill McMahon, Joe Vaughan, Diane Faria, Kylie Georgas, Bree Rumballe, Qun Ren, A Michaela Mayer, Jan P Junker, Rathi D Thiagarajan, Philip Machanick, Paul A Gray, Alexander van Oudenaarden, David H Rowitch, Charles D Stiles, Qiufu Ma, Sean M Grimmond, Timothy L Bailey, Melissa H Little, and Andrew P McMahon


Lengthy developmental programs generate cell diversity within an organotypic framework, enabling the later physiological actions of each organ system. Cell identity, cell diversity and cell function are determined by cell type-specific transcriptional programs; consequently, transcriptional regulatory factors are useful markers of emerging cellular complexity, and their expression patterns provide insights into the regulatory mechanisms at play. We performed a comprehensive genome-scale in situ expression screen of 921 transcriptional regulators in the developing mammalian urogenital system. Focusing on the kidney, analysis of regional-specific expression patterns identified novel markers and cell types associated with development and patterning of the urinary system. Furthermore, promoter analysis of synexpressed genes predicts transcriptional control mechanisms that regulate cell differentiation. The annotated informational resource (www.gudmap.org) will facilitate functional analysis of the mammalian kidney and provides useful information for the generation of novel genetic tools to manipulate emerging cell populations.