Galectin-3 is expressed in the notochord, developing bones, and skin of the postimplantation mouse embryo.
The galectins are a family of low molecular weight, calcium-independent mammalian carbohydrate binding proteins that exhibit specificity for beta-galactoside derivatives. We have examined the expression pattern of galectin-3 in the developing mouse embryo by in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry. In the embryo proper, galectin-3 message and protein are first detected in notochord, starting from 8.5 days post coitum (dpc), and persist until this structure disappears. Galectin-3 is later found in cartilage primordia and in developing skin from 13.5 dpc. This very restricted and dynamic pattern suggests that galectin-3 may participate in the establishment and/or maintenance of notochord as well as the formation of cartilage and differentiation of skin. Finally, we find that galectin-3, which is identical to the macrophage marker Mac-2, is also expressed in embryonic macrophages.
Fowlis
D
D
Unité INSERM 257, ICGM, Paris, France.
Colnot
C
C
Ripoche
M A
MA
Poirier
F
F
D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000378:metabolism*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000196:embryology*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism*; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3; D051379:Mice; D009672:Notochord / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D037502:Galectin 3