
Alan O. Perantoni, Ph.D.
- Center for Cancer Research
- National Cancer Institute
- Building 560, Room 22-90A
- Frederick, MD 21702-1201
- 301-846-6529
- perantoa@mail.nih.gov
RESEARCH SUMMARY
Dr. Perantoni devoted his efforts to identifying (1) the ligands responsible for renal progenitor/stem cell survival and differentiation, (2) the molecular targets of those ligands, (3) the mechanisms responsible for the dysregulation of normal signaling in Wilms tumor, and (4) the targets of dysregulation in those tumors.
Areas of Expertise
1) kidney and reproductive tract development 2) renal progenitor signaling 3) STAT transcription factors in development and cancer 4) FGF and WNT signaling in kidney 5) Wilms tumor

Alan O. Perantoni, Ph.D.
Research
Growth/Differentiation Factors in Organogenesis and Their Roles in Tumorigenesis
Morphogenesis in the differentiating metanephros is regulated by reciprocal interactions between ureteric bud (UB) epithelia and the metanephric mesenchyme (MM). The UB invades the overlying MM and induces conversion of the mesenchyme into stromal and epithelial elements, which form the nephron. In turn, the MM stimulates the UB to grow and branch, forming the collecting duct system. The Differentiation and Neoplasia Section focused on the elucidation of mechanisms of inductive signaling in metanephric development, seeking (1) the ligands responsible for renal progenitor survival and nephronic differentiation, (2) other non-inductive regulatory factors of nephrogenesis, (3) the molecular targets of induction, (4) dysregulation of normal inductive signaling during development of pediatric neoplasms such as the Wilms tumor or congenital mesoblastic nephroma, and (5) targeting the dysregulated signaling in these tumors. The Section used both explants of metanephric rudiments and mouse genetic models in these studies. We also had efforts to map the genetic locus responsible for sensitivity to nephroblastoma (Wilms) induction in rats. We expected that as we deciphered the roles of various inductive signaling mechanisms in development and understood their dysregulation in tumorigenesis, our studies would lead to novel animal models and targeting agents for drug development.
Publications
Preferential Propagation of Competent SIX2+ Nephronic Progenitors by LIF/ROCKi Treatment of the Metanephric Mesenchyme
Non-canonical Wnt5a/Ror2 signaling regulates kidney morphogenesis by controlling intermediate mesoderm extension
Stromal-epithelial crosstalk regulates kidney progenitor cell differentiation
FGF8 is essential for formation of the ductal system in the male reproductive tract
Wnt4 induces nephronic tubules in metanephric mesenchyme by a non-canonical mechanism
Biography

Alan O. Perantoni, Ph.D.
Dr. Perantoni received his Ph.D. in cell biology from Catholic University in 1983, having conducted his thesis research at the NCI. After serving as an assistant professor in the Pathology Department, University of Colorado Medical School, he returned to the NCI in 1992.
Dr. Perantoni retired as a Senior Investigator in 2019 and is now an NCI Scientist Emeritus.