Expression of the proteoglycan SPOCK during mouse embryo development

SPOCK is a modular proteoglycan, with homology with proteins involved in ce ll adhesion processes and neurogenesis. We have previously shown that SPOCK transcripts predominate in the adult mouse brain. Here, we report its expr ession during mouse embryonic development by in situ hybridization, and imm unocytochemistry. SPOCK is actively expressed at the onset of neurogenesis during periods of neuron migration and axonal outgrowth. At a later develop mental stage, its expression is particularly prevalent within developing sy naptic fields. In the peripheral nervous system, SPOCK expression is also d evelopmentally regulated particularly in dorsal root ganglion neurons. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.