Osteopontin and related SIBLING glycoprotein genes are expressed by Sertoli cells during mouse testis development.
Matrix proteins play important roles in tissue morphogenesis. We have studied the expression of genes encoding the related SIBLING glycoproteins osteopontin (OPN), bone sialoprotein (BSP), and dentin matrix protein (DMP) during the development of male and female gonads during mouse embryogenesis. Opn mRNA was expressed specifically by Sertoli cells of the developing testis cords, in the mesonephric tubules of both sexes, and, transiently, in the Müllerian ducts of both sexes, as determined by whole-mount and section in situ hybridization. OPN protein was detected in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells and luminal cells of the mesonephric tubules, with small amounts associated with the plasma membrane of germ cells. We found no defects in developing testes of Opn-/- mice using a range of cell type-specific markers, suggesting that other SIBLING proteins may function in testis development. Dmp and Bsp mRNA was also expressed in the developing testis cords, supporting the view that all three SIBLING proteins may contribute to testis differentiation.
Wilson
Megan J
MJ
Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Liaw
Lucy
L
Koopman
Peter
P
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D058574:Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D005810:Multigene Family; D053495:Osteopontin; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism
C513308:Dmp1 protein, mouse; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; C546872:Ibsp protein, mouse; C546873:Ibsp protein, rat; D058574:Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; C506896:Spp1 protein, mouse; C506897:Spp1 protein, rat; D053495:Osteopontin