Development of the mammary gland requires DGAT1 expression in stromal and epithelial tissues

• Published in: Development (Cambridge) Vol. 131; no. 13; pp. 3047 - 3055
• Main Authors: Cases, Sylvaine, Zhou, Ping, Shillingford, Jonathan M, Wiseman, Bryony S, Fish, Jo Dee, Angle, Christina S, Hennighausen, Lothar, Werb, Zena, Farese, Jr, Robert V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England The Company of Biologists Limited 01.07.2004
• Subjects: Acyltransferases - biosynthesis; Acyltransferases - physiology; Animals; Apoptosis; Cell Differentiation; Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase; Epithelial Cells - metabolism; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Immunoblotting; Immunohistochemistry; Lactation; Lipid Metabolism; Mammary Glands, Animal - embryology; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Precipitin Tests; RNA - metabolism; Stromal Cells - metabolism; Time Factors; Tissue Transplantation
• ISSN: 0950-1991; 1477-9129
• DOI: 10.1242/dev.01158

Mammary gland development is a complex process that is dependent on interactions between the developing mammary epithelium and the surrounding stromal tissues. We show that mice lacking the triglyceride synthesis enzyme acyl CoA:diacylglycerol transferase 1 (DGAT1) have impaired mammary gland development, characterized by decreased epithelial proliferation and alveolar development, and reduced expression of markers of functional differentiation. Transplantation studies demonstrate that the impaired development results from a deficiency of DGAT1 in both the stromal and epithelial tissues. Our findings are the first to link defects in stromal lipid metabolism to impaired mammary gland development.