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Abstract
Development of an organ is directed by cell and tissue interactions and these also
occur during the formation of functional kidney. During vertebrate development inductive
signalling between mesenchyme and epithelium controls the organogenesis of all three
kinds of kidneys: pronephros, mesonephros and metanephros. In higher animals the metanephros
differentiates into the permanent kidney and in this review we will mainly concentrate
on its development. Molecular interactions currently known to function during nephrogenesis
have primarily been based on the use of knockout techniques. These studies have highlighted
the role for transcription factors, signalling molecules, growth factors and their
receptors and also for extracellular matrix components in kidney development. Finally
in this review we will represent our own model for kidney development according to
the knowledge of the genes involved in the development of the functional excretory
organ, kidney.