Characterization of GDF-10 expression patterns and null mice

Growth/differentiation factor-10 (GDP-10) is a TGF-beta family member highl y related to bone morphogenetic protein-3. In order to determine the biolog ical function of GDF-10, we carried out a detailed analysis of the expressi on pattern of GDF-10 and characterized GDP-10-null mice that we generated b y gene targeting. During embryogenesis GDP-10 is expressed prominently in d eveloping skeletal structures both in the craniofacial region and in the ve rtebral column. In adult animals, GDF-10 is expressed at high levels in the brain, where GDF-10 is localized primarily to cells in the Purkinje cell l ayer of the cerebellum, and in the uterus, where the expression levels of G DF-10 are regulated both during the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy. D espite the high levels of GDF-10 expression in these tissues, we found no o bvious abnormalities in GDF-10-knockout mice with respect to the developmen t of these tissues. These findings suggest either that GDF-10 plays no regu latory role in these tissues or that its function is redundant with that of other growth factor-like molecules. (C) 1999 Academic Press.