Expression of DM-GRASP/BEN in the developing mouse spinal cord and variousepithelia

The expression pattern of the immunoglobulin DM-GRASP/BEN gene was studied in the mouse embryo using in situ hybridization. DM-GRASP/BEN is expressed in the spinal cord in a subset of motoneurons expressing Islet-l, and non h omogeneously in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). In contrast, it's expression is homogeneous in the vestibulo-cochlear and trigemminal ganglia. DM-GRASP /BEN is also expressed in various epithelia of ectodermal or endodermal ori gin like the nasal, buccopharyngal and lung epithelia. In upper lip, DM-GRA SP/BEN transcripts, are present in the epidermal cells of the developing ha ir vibrissa follicles. First detected in the hair placode, DM-GRASP/BEN exp ression is localized in the central cells of the epithelial hair peg and th en in a thin layer of cells crushed against the outer root sheath by the ou tgrowth of the hair shaft. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All right s reserved.