Fig. 3

A simplified scheme of the development cascade representing the main transcription factors expression during pituitary development (adapted from de Moraes et al. [20]). Pituitary cell lineages are determined by the activation or repression of each transcription factor. LHX3 participates in the pituitary cell differentiation and maturation process. The anterior pituitary consists of five distinct cell types. These cells and their specific hormones are lactotropes, which produce PRL; somatotropes, which produce GH; gonadotropes, which produce LH and FSH; corticotropes, which produce ACTH; and thyrotropes, which produce TSH. Any mutation that alters the length, quality or quantity of any gene involved in the development cascade will result in pituitary development failure