title: Distribution of cartilage proteoglycan (aggrecan) core protein and link protein gene expression during human skeletal development.
abstract: The distribution of cartilage proteoglycan core protein (aggrecan) and cartilage proteoglycan link protein was investigated by in situ hybridization during different stages of human skeletal development. Aggrecan and link protein expression were confined to chondrocytes of the developing skeleton and other cartilaginous structures. Distribution and intensity of the signal was identical with aggrecan as compared to link protein probes. Parallel to the calcification of cartilaginous matrix, chondrocytes of this area lost the expression of aggrecan and link protein specific mRNA and stayed negative throughout the following stages of skeletal development. Highest expression was found in the lower proliferative and upper hypertrophic zone whereas the resting zone showed less expression. Aggrecan gene expression was additionally investigated in iliac crest biopsies of 3 patients with pseudoachondroplasia and compared to age-matched controls. Distribution and intensity of staining revealed no abnormalities. Thus, the phenotypic changes during chondrocyte maturation are accompanied by distinct changes in aggrecan and link protein gene expression. This pattern was maintained in the growth plate of patients with pseudoachondroplasia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, F.R.G.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mundlos
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zabel
mesh_terms: D053674:Aggrecans; D001846:Bone Development; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000378:metabolism; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000196:embryology; D002356:Cartilage / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012313:RNA; D016372:RNA, Antisense; D018075:RNA, Complementary; D000099249:Proteoglycan Link Protein
chemical_list: D053674:Aggrecans; D004247:DNA; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D011506:Proteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; D012313:RNA; D016372:RNA, Antisense; D018075:RNA, Complementary; D000099249:Proteoglycan Link Protein