UNIQUE EXPRESSION PATTERN OF A NOVEL MOSAIC RECEPTOR IN THE DEVELOPING CEREBRAL-CORTEX

Recently, a new type of transmembrane protein with a unique combinatio n of protein domains was characterized from human, rabbit and chicken. This protein exhibits features of the low-density lipoprotein recepto r family and shows homology to the receptor of the neuropeptide head a ctivator isolated from hydra. To study the temporal and spatial patter n of expression of this unusual new receptor we have isolated a murine homolog and, in accordance with its human counterpart, named it mSorL A. Northern blot analysis revealed the highest abundance of mSorLA tra nscripts in the adult brain, lower levels in a variety of other organs and expression during embryogenesis. In situ hybridization showed pre dominant localization in neurons of the cortex, the hippocampus and th e cerebellum. During embryonic development mSorLA displayed a unique p attern of expression in the cerebral cortex, where a subpopulation of neurons was labeled before final differentiation. Transcripts of mSorL A were also detected outside the central nervous system in regions act ive in morphogenesis. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.