... that establish the metanephric cell lineages have been well characterized, much less is known about the molecular cues that specify the ureter. Here, we have identified a crucial patterning function in this process for Tbx18 , a T-box transcription factor gene specifically expressed in the mesenchymal primordium...

... Competing interests statement The authors declare no competing financial interests. 8 6 2012 © 2012. Wnt Ctnnb1 Ureter Tbx18 Smooth muscle cell The mammalian ureter is a simple tube that mediates by unidirectional peristaltic contractions the efficient removal...

... in the metanephric mesenchyme, but not the ureter, under control of the Eya1 promoter. We show that Six1 and Tbx18 genetically interact to synergistically regulate SMC development and ureter function and that their gene products form a complex in cultured cells and in the developing ureter. Two missense mutations...

... that the expression of proepicardial marker genes - Wt1 , capsulin (epicardin, pod1, Tcf21 ) and Tbx18 , can be induced in naïve mesothelial cells by the liver bud, both in vitro and in vivo. Lateral embryonic explants, when co-cultured with the liver bud, were induced to express these proepicardial marker genes...