Expression pattern of the Kallmann syndrome gene in the olfactory system suggests a role in neuronal targeting.
Kallmann syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by a defect in olfactory system development, which appears to be due to an abnormality in the migration of olfactory axons and gonadotropin releasing hormone (Gn-RH) producing neurons. The X-linked Kallmann syndrome gene shares significant similarities with molecules involved in neural development. We have now isolated the evolutionarily conserved chicken homologue of the Kallmann gene. In the developing and adult chicken, high levels of expression were found in the mitral cells of the olfactory bulb (the target of olfactory axons) and in the Purkinje cells of the cerebellar cortex, both areas affected in patients with Kallmann syndrome. We propose a model in which the Kallmann syndrome gene product is a signal molecule required for neuronal targeting throughout life.
Institute for Molecular Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.
E I
EI
Rugarli
B
B
Lutz
S C
SC
Kuratani
S
S
Wawersik
G
G
Borsani
A
A
Ballabio
G
G
Eichele
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons; D001483:Base Sequence; D002465:Cell Movement; D002642:Chick Embryo / Q000378:metabolism; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000172:deficiency; D006801:Humans; D017436:Kallmann Syndrome / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010802:Phylogeny; D011689:Purkinje Cells / Q000737:chemistry*; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013045:Species Specificity; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000235:genetics
C076266:ANOS1 protein, human; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone