Transcriptional regulation of smooth muscle cell differentiation in the murine ureter

Abstract

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation in the murine ureter is regulated by a complex network of signaling pathways and transcription factors. In this work two zinc-finger transcription factors of the same family Gata2 and Gata6 and the Notch-signaling pathway were identified to be involved in this network. Investigation of mice with a conditional loss of Gata2, Gata6 and the unique mediator of Notch-signaling Rbpj revealed a delayed and reduced onset of SMC differentiation and peristaltic activity. Further analyses showed that Gata2, Gata6 and the Notch-signaling pathway regulate SMC differentiation by acting in different subprograms, but they all affect the activation of the master regulator of SMC differentiation myocardin (Myocd).