Molecular genetic aspects of metanephrogenesis in health and disease
The review deals with the molecular genetic mechanisms governing the key events of metanephrogenesis: induction of the formation and branching of a ureteric bud, formation of a tubular system and metanephrogenic mesenchymal nephrons, and terminal nephronal differentiation. It gives data from the studies of the common signaling pathways that function at different consecutive stages of metanephrogenesis, including signaling via the GDNF/RET/GFRa1, FGF, WNT, BMP, SHH, and NOTCH genes. The evolution of our current understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms for the embryogenesis of the urinary system may provide methods to improve the diagnosis of congenital urinary tract abnormalities.