Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT): a current review of cell signaling processes in ureteral development.

Abstract Objective The objective of this review is to present a concise summary of the genetic signaling processes involved in abnormal mouse Wolffian development and their correlation to those abnormalities affecting ureteral development in children. Materials and methods We performed an extensive review of the current literature pertaining to mouse Wolffian duct development and combined these findings with our own data. Conclusion This article reviews embryological findings in mice with ureteral abnormalities and draws connections between the mouse anomaly and what is seen in children. A review of the current literature has led to the identification of a number of genes which may prove to be important in understanding the causes of these anomalies.