First Author | Hou J | Year | 2004 |
Journal | Dev Dyn | Volume | 229 |
Issue | 2 | Pages | 373-9 |
PubMed ID | 14745963 | Mgi Jnum | J:88670 |
Mgi Id | MGI:3036836 | Doi | 10.1002/dvdy.10450 |
Citation | Hou J, et al. (2004) Identification of a novel left-right asymmetrically expressed gene in the mouse belonging to the BPI/PLUNC superfamily. Dev Dyn 229(2):373-9 |
abstractText | In the process of left-right (L-R) axis formation in the mouse, the node plays a critical role as a structure where the initial breaking of L-R symmetry occurs. Here, we report on the gene LPlunc1, a member of BPI/PLUNC gene superfamily, which is asymmetrically expressed in the developing mouse node. LPlunc1 protein is secreted as a processed form of relative molecular mass 54K-60K and shares sequence features with the other members of BPI/PLUNC superfamily, including the N-terminal and C-terminal homology domains, each of which is considered to form a lipid binding pocket. LPlunc1 is transiently expressed in the crown cells of the node asymmetrically. This expression pattern of Lplunc1 highly overlaps with that of Nodal, a major player during the L-R formation. Interestingly, this asymmetric expression pattern is randomized in the iv mutant and reversed in the inv mutant, indicating that LPlunc1 is downstream of iv and inv. Our results suggest a link between lipid binding/transfer and the axis development. |