The absence of nidogen 1 does not affect murine basement membrane formation.
Nidogen 1 is a highly conserved protein in mammals, Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, and ascidians and is found in all basement membranes. It has been proposed that nidogen 1 connects the laminin and collagen IV networks, so stabilizing the basement membrane, and integrates other proteins, including perlecan, into the basement membrane. To define the role of nidogen 1 in basement membranes in vivo, we produced a null mutation of the NID-1 gene in embryonic stem cells and used these to derive mouse lines. Homozygous animals produce neither nidogen 1 mRNA nor protein. Surprisingly, they show no overt abnormalities and are fertile, their basement membrane structures appearing normal. Nidogen 2 staining is increased in certain basement membranes, where it is normally only found in scant amounts. This occurs by either redistribution from other extracellular matrices or unmasking of nidogen 2 epitopes, as its production does not appear to be upregulated. The results show that nidogen 1 is not required for basement membrane formation or maintenance.
Murshed
M
M
Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Germany.
Smyth
N
N
Miosge
N
N
Karolat
J
J
Krieg
T
T
Paulsson
M
M
Nischt
R
R
D000818:Animals; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice
D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C029967:nidogen