Ds. Keeney et Mr. Waterman, Two novel sites of expression of NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase during murine embryogenesis: Limb mesenchyme and developing olfactory neuroepithelia, DEV DYNAM, 216(4-5), 1999, pp. 511-517
While all cells in eukaryotic organisms probably express the gene encoding
NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase, we identified two novel sites which have t
he highest local concentrations of P450 reductase transcripts during murine
embryogenesis. One site is in developing limbs, including lateral limb bud
mesenchyme and condensing mesenchyme in the footplate which will form prec
artilage. A second site is in primitive neuroepithelia, including future ol
factory epithelia and olfactory lobes of the brain. These high, local conce
ntrations of P450 reductase transcripts revealed by in situ hybridization w
ere transient and most prominent between embryonic (E) days 12.5-15.5. They
cannot be explained by the known functions for P450 reductase. The precurs
or nature of the highest reductase-expressing cells suggests that different
iation-specific mechanisms regulate P450 reductase gene transcription durin
g organogenesis. The data suggest this multifunctional protein might serve
an important role in the formation of precartilage models from condensing l
imb mesenchyme and in the early development of joints that will form at app
osed surfaces of these models. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.