Examination of the Role of ETV1 in the Fgf Signaling Pathway During Lung Development in Frogs

The lung is one of the last organs to fully develop in air breathing animals and its incomplete development can lead to disease and death in prematurely born infants. Fibroblast Growth Factor (Fgf) family members are one of a number of cell signaling molecules necessary for proper lung formation. We know the transcription factor ETV1 acts downstream of Fgf signaling in other developmental contexts and is expressed in the Xenopus developing lung. The goal of this project is to determine if ETV1 has a role in lung development in the frog, and if so, to determine if its involvement is controlled by Fgf signaling. From this research, biologists will better understand how the lung develops prior to birth and how we can better treat lung abnormalities in humans.