Molecular basis of pituitary development and cytogenesis.

The factors that play a role in pituitary development have been identified as transcription factors and growth factors that regulate cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. These factors are expressed in a tightly regulated fashion to ensure the dorso-ventral migration of Rathke's pouch, the proliferation of cells in a correct temporal and spatial fashion, and the cytodifferentiation of the hormone-producing cell types of the mature gland. Dysregulation of these processes results in congenital abnormalities and hormone insufficiency syndromes. Understanding these normal processes of differentiation and proliferation sheds new light on the factors implicated in disordered structure and function of the mature gland during pituitary tumorigenesis.