Embryonic expression of the mRNA for the rat homologue of the fusin/CXCR-4 HIV-1 co-receptor.
We have previously cloned a human receptor recently shown to be a cofactor for entry of T-tropic HIV-1 strains into CD4+ cells, now named fusin. Stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1) is an endogenous ligand for fusin, also called CXCR-4. Here we show the distribution of fusin/CXCR-4 mRNA during ontogeny in the rat. The onset of mRNA expression is around embryonic day 9 and the mRNA expression is high in the thymus as well as proliferative areas of the brain during development. Our results suggest: (1) that fusin/CXCR-4 might have a dual role in both brain development and the immune system; (2) that SDF-1 has a role in brain development or that additional physiological ligands exist for this receptor; (3) co-expression of CD4 and fusin/CXCR-4 may make fetuses susceptible to HIV infection during development.
Jazin
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Department of Medical Genetics, Uppsala University, Sweden. elena.jazin@medgen.uu.se
Söderström
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Ebendal
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Larhammar
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D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000196:embryology; D009420:Nervous System / Q000196:embryology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000235:genetics*; D017385:Sequence Homology
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4