Characterization of GDF-10 expression patterns and null mice.
Growth/differentiation factor-10 (GDF-10) is a TGF-beta family member highly related to bone morphogenetic protein-3. In order to determine the biological function of GDF-10, we carried out a detailed analysis of the expression pattern of GDF-10 and characterized GDF-10-null mice that we generated by gene targeting. During embryogenesis GDF-10 is expressed prominently in developing skeletal structures both in the craniofacial region and in the vertebral column. In adult animals, GDF-10 is expressed at high levels in the brain, where GDF-10 is localized primarily to cells in the Purkinje cell layer of the cerebellum, and in the uterus, where the expression levels of GDF-10 are regulated both during the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy. Despite the high levels of GDF-10 expression in these tissues, we found no obvious abnormalities in GDF-10-knockout mice with respect to the development of these tissues. These findings suggest either that GDF-10 plays no regulatory role in these tissues or that its function is redundant with that of other growth factor-like molecules.
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA.
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Zhao
A M
AM
Lawler
S J
SJ
Lee
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D055398:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 3; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005838:Genotype; D055413:Growth Differentiation Factor 10; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010920:Placenta / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014599:Uterus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology
D055398:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 3; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; C525784:Gdf10 protein, mouse; D055413:Growth Differentiation Factor 10; D006133:Growth Substances