CLONING, SEQUENCING AND EXPRESSION ANALYSIS OF MOUSE CARTILAGE MATRIXPROTEIN CDNA

A cDNA encoding the mouse cartilage matrix protein (CMP) was cloned fo llowing the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and rapid amplification of cDNA ends procedures using mRNA isolated from trachea . The open reading frame encodes a product of 500 amino acids. Large p arts of the protein have been completely conserved when compared to ch icken and human sequences, including all 12 cysteine residues of the m ature CMP. In situ hybridization reveals an even distribution of the C MP mRNA in the developing skeleton, which is followed by a zonal distr ibution paralelling hypertrophy and calcification. From early cartilag e differentiation and onwards, CMP transcript is absent in the forming articular surfaces and intervertebral discs. Extraskeletal expression of CMP mRNA was detected in the adult eye.