Scribble promotes alveologenesis in the pregnant mammary gland for milk production

Reproduction. 2020 May;159(6):719-731. doi: 10.1530/REP-20-0108.

Abstract

Mammary glands are comprised of ducts and terminal lobules that form tree-like structures. Luminal epithelial cells in these lobules undergo differentiation into alveolar cells in pregnancy to support milk production. This study reveals that Scribble (SCRIB), a scaffold protein expressed in progesterone receptor (PGR)-positive cells, plays a critical role in mammary gland alveologenesis in mice. We conditionally deleted Scrib using a Pgr-Cre driver. PGR is heterogeneously expressed throughout the luminal epithelium. Scrib loss in mammary glands by Pgr-Cre (Scribf/fPgrCre/+) shows inefficient alveologenesis and terminal end bud (TEB)-like morphology during pregnancy, resulting in poor milk production and subsequent death of pups after delivery. The differentiation of PGR-positive epithelial cells into Elf5-expressing alveolar cells is defective in Scribf/fPgrCre/+ mice. These changes are reflected in reduced activation of JAK2 and PAK1, resulting in downregulation of pSTAT5, a critical transcriptional factor for alveologenesis. These results provide evidence that SCRIB impacts PGR-positive cell lineage during alveologenesis, which impacts milk production and the health of offspring.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mammary Glands, Animal / growth & development
  • Mammary Glands, Animal / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Milk / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • scribble protein, mouse