nephron development

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the nephron over time, from its formation to the mature structure. A nephron is the functional unit of the kidney. [GOC:mtg_kidney_jan10]

Nephron development is a complex and highly regulated process that involves the coordinated interaction of multiple cell types and signaling pathways. It begins in the early stages of kidney development, with the formation of the metanephric mesenchyme and the ureteric bud. The ureteric bud, an outgrowth from the Wolffian duct, invades the metanephric mesenchyme and induces the formation of the nephrons, the functional units of the kidney.

The metanephric mesenchyme, composed of mesenchymal progenitor cells, undergoes a series of transformations to form the various epithelial cell types of the nephron. These transformations are guided by inductive signals from the ureteric bud and involve the expression of key transcription factors and signaling molecules.

The ureteric bud, through branching morphogenesis, gives rise to the collecting duct system, which transports urine from the nephrons to the bladder. As the ureteric bud branches, it induces the formation of nephrons from the surrounding metanephric mesenchyme.

Nephron development begins with the formation of a renal vesicle, a small invagination of the metanephric mesenchyme. This vesicle undergoes a series of morphogenetic events, including elongation, bending, and differentiation, to form the various segments of the nephron. These segments include the glomerulus, proximal tubule, loop of Henle, distal tubule, and connecting tubule.

The glomerulus, the filtration unit of the nephron, is formed by the invagination of the renal vesicle and the differentiation of its cells into podocytes and endothelial cells. Podocytes, specialized epithelial cells, wrap around the capillaries of the glomerulus, forming a filtration barrier that prevents the passage of large molecules into the urine.

The proximal tubule, the first segment of the nephron, is responsible for the reabsorption of water, electrolytes, and nutrients from the glomerular filtrate. It is characterized by its apical brush border, which increases its surface area for reabsorption.

The loop of Henle, a U-shaped structure, descends into the renal medulla and is responsible for the concentration of urine. Its descending limb is permeable to water, while its ascending limb is impermeable to water but permeable to electrolytes.

The distal tubule, located between the loop of Henle and the connecting tubule, regulates the reabsorption of water, electrolytes, and calcium. It also plays a role in the regulation of blood pressure through the release of renin.

The connecting tubule, the last segment of the nephron, connects the distal tubule to the collecting duct system. It is responsible for the fine-tuning of electrolyte balance and the regulation of urine flow.

The formation of each segment of the nephron is controlled by specific signaling pathways and transcription factors. For example, the formation of the glomerulus is regulated by the Wnt signaling pathway, while the development of the proximal tubule is controlled by the Notch signaling pathway.

Nephron development is a complex process that requires precise coordination of cell fate specification, cell proliferation, and cell migration. Any disruption of these processes can lead to kidney diseases, such as polycystic kidney disease and congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying nephron development is crucial for the development of novel therapies for these diseases.'
"

Proteins (1)

Compounds (1)