Dwarf locus mutants lacking three pituitary cell types result from mutations in the POU-domain gene pit-1

Nature. 1990 Oct 11;347(6293):528-33. doi: 10.1038/347528a0.

Abstract

Mutations at the mouse dwarf locus (dw) interrupt the normal development of the anterior pituitary gland, resulting in the loss of expression of growth hormone, prolactin and thyroid-stimulating hormone, and hypoplasia of their respective cell types. Disruptions in the gene encoding the POU-domain transcription factor, Pit-1, occur in both characterized alleles of the dwarf locus. The data indicate that Pit-1 is necessary for the specification of the phenotype of three cell types in the anterior pituitary, and directly link a transcription factor to commitment and progression events in mammalian organogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Dwarfism, Pituitary / genetics*
  • Gene Expression*
  • Genes, Homeobox / genetics
  • Growth Hormone / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation*
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • Phenotype
  • Pituitary Gland, Anterior / cytology
  • Pituitary Gland, Anterior / growth & development
  • Pituitary Gland, Anterior / metabolism*
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
  • Prolactin / genetics
  • Restriction Mapping
  • Transcription Factor Pit-1
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Pit1 protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factor Pit-1
  • Transcription Factors
  • Prolactin
  • Growth Hormone